New research guiding OSU Extension’s mental health first aid training across Oregon
Participants in Mental Health First Aid learn a step-by-step framework for helping someone in distress, whether it’s a coworker, family member or neighbor.
Oralia Mendez, a longtime educator and trainer at the Oregon Center for Health Innovation, said one strength of the program is that participants don’t need a background in mental health to get involved.
“The more trained instructors that we have, the more that we’re able to get that information out to all the different communities,” she said.
The training is part of a broader Extension effort called Coast to Forest to promote mental health and prevent substance use across Oregon.
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