Mental Health First Aid Training Course

Did you know that nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness? Mental Health First Aid training will teach you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. This course, led by expert trainers in the mental health field, will give you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance abuse problem and how to connect them to the appropriate care. You will also learn how to apply the ALGEE action plan: Assess for risk of suicide or harm; Listen nonjudgmentally; Give reassurance and information; Encourage appropriate professional help; and Encourage self-help and other support strategies. Check out this flyer detailing Mental Health First Aid.

This is an in-person*, instructor-led course that is limited to 30 participants. Fee: $50 for training and materials. This course is part of our yearlong Speaker Series on Becoming a Trauma Informed County. *This event will be held in person pending all COVID-19 social distancing and gathering restrictions. CFAAC will continue to assess, based on current conditions, whether to postpone, significantly reduce the number of attendees, or cancel the in-person gathering.

Instructors:

Marguerite Keane Gibbons, LCSW-C, is a Master Trainer in Mental Health First Aid, a licensed Psychotherapist, an Adjunct Professor at Anne Arundel Community College, and a Social Worker at Archbishop Spalding High School. She is the Spokesperson for the Youth Suicide Awareness Committee, Anne Arundel County, and a former long-term care committee member of the Mayor’s Health Policy Council. Her professional experience includes the Director of Social Work at The Washington Home and Hospice of Washington as well as many other social work and volunteer positions. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Beloit College and a master’s degree in social work from Catholic University.

Anne Hamel is a Master Trainer in Mental Health First Aid and was formerly the Associate Director of Employment and Workforce Development at The Light House Shelter and Homeless Prevention Center. Anne spent 11 years as a Corporate Litigator at Venable, LLP in Baltimore and then 10 years as a Corporate Litigator at Corbin, Schaeffer and Aviles in Severna Park, MD. Anne serves on the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s Board of Trustees and is also a member of the Fund Development, Governance and Nominating, and Audit Committees. She holds an A.B. in Politics from Princeton University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.