Take a Course. Save a life. Strengthen your community.

You are more likely to encounter someone in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Learn how to help a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor in need.

Mental Health First Aid teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The course introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns, builds understanding of their impact and provides an overview of common treatments. Through role-playing and simulations, it demonstrates how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions; provide initial help; and connect people to professional, peer and social supports as well as self-help resources.

United Counseling Service is offering Adult Mental Health First Aid on Tuesday, April 27^th from 9am to 3pm and on Wednesday, May 19^th from 9am to 3pm. All classes are currently being held virtually. There is no charge, however, space is limited. If you have questions or would like to register, contact Maria DeLeon at mdeleon@ucsvt.org.

United Counseling Service (UCS) is a private, non-profit community mental health center that has played an essential part of Bennington County’s integrated healthcare system since 1958. The organization has been designated as a Center of Excellent by Vermont Care Partners. UCS promotes healthy lifestyles through all its programs and offers care at 15 different facilities, including two primary outpatient facilities in Bennington and Manchester. UCS provides outpatient counseling and addictions services, emergency mental health services, extensive rehabilitation services, home and school-based services, employment services for people recovering from mental illness or with developmental disabilities and Early Childhood Services.  For more information about UCS visit www.ucsvt.org.