Mental Health First Aid training available

The Speedy Foundation, an organization dedicated to preventing suicide through education and outreach in the athletic community, is partnering with Optum Idaho to offer free Mental Health First Aid training sessions throughout the state.

Mental Health First Aid is a day-and a-half-course that teaches people how to recognize the most common signs of mental illness including depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse, and the steps they can take to help someone get professional help. The Speedy Foundation will fund 10 training sessions during the next year and act as a statewide champion for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. The courses will be taught by certified Mental Health First Aid instructors from Optum Idaho.

The next course will be offered in Sandpoint on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information or to register for a future session, contact Optum Idaho at (208) 914-2013 or amanda.lehto@optum.com.