Lake Co. Health Dept. Seeks Youth Mental Health Instructors

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Health Department is seeking passionate people to become Youth Mental Health First Aid USA instructors.

The health department received a five-year grant extension from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help expand and improve Lake County's Mental Health First Aid training initiatives.

The grant money is being used to train 80 people on how to become instructors. In turn, those individuals will train 1.440 community members, according to a news release from the health department.

"In the United States, approximately half the people who had a mental disorder in the past year received professional health care or other services,” said Dominic Caputa, Associate Director of Behavioral Health. “We need people representing every facet of our community to be trained in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid so they can help those who are experiencing a mental health crisis.”

Applicants who are approved by the Lake County Health Department will need to attend a three-day instructor training course from Nov. 2 to 4, which will be held at the Lake County Health Department, 3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan.

Approved instructors will learn how to teach the Youth Mental Health First Aid course, including the five-step action plan, evidence-supported treatment, and self-help strategies. Instructor training normally costs $2,000 per person but will be free for qualified applicants.

In exchange, individuals who take the course will agree to teach a minimum of three youth mental health first aid classes in the year following the training to Lake County Health Department approved groups.

To learn more and apply, you can visit this website or e-mail info@mentalhealth.today. Applications are due on Aug. 31.

To be considered for certification, candidates must possess empathy toward individuals with behavioral health challenges and should have enthusiasm to reduce stigma associated with mental illness. Applicants should also have:

• A general knowledge of mental health and substance use issues
• Experience teaching groups of youth
• Understanding of best practices in youth learning
• Experience facilitating groups