Noting that the pandemic resulted in increased anxiety and depression for many Lewis County youths, Lewis County Public Health and Social Services announced a free youth mental health first-aid training event on Thursday.
The Washington State Health Care Authority, Cascade Community Healthcare and Morton-Up are assisting the county in the training, which is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at the Morton Senior Center.
“We’ve seen a lot of youth in our community struggle,” Lewis County Public Health Director Meja Handlen said in a news release. “Having parents and support staff know what youth are struggling with and applying evidence-based services can help them.”
Calling youth suicide troubling, Handlen said the community can intervene by giving youth in need an opportunity to speak with someone before something happens.
“The idea is to share how best to address people who are suffering from mental illness,” said Mindy Greenwood, chief of operations for inpatient and substance use disorder services at Cascade Community Healthcare. “The need is huge and there are local resources and services that can help.”
To register in advance by Oct. 18, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-mhfa-morton-tickets-433648663827.
For more information, contact Jennifer Jardine at jennifer.jardine@lewiscountywa.gov.
