Logo courtesy CMHA

By Chantal Wagner

Community Helpers Program

CMHA program teaches participants how to respond to the mental health needs of others

Oct 20, 2020 | 3:06 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Community members have a chance to learn how to respond and help someone struggling with their mental health.

As the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) southeast region is offering free online sessions for mental health and suicide prevention training.

The aim of the Community Helpers Program is to try and bridge formal and informal mental health supports according to the program coordinator.

Kallyn Heidinger says youth and young people usually turn to their friends before they reach out to professional help.

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The sessions are open to any adult who supports those who are 12-30 years old.

It’s best suited for those not currently working in the mental health field.

The program teaches the skills to support somebody who is having trouble.

Heidinger teaches the informal supports and methods on when to refer someone for mental health help, and what to say in the process.

“The ethics of helping somebody, when to tell somebody about a problem like a professional, or if it’s a youth helping a youth when to go to an adult. What mental health is and what the difference is between mental health and mental illness. How to understand suicide and see the signs. And lots of other things in between like self-care, putting in boundaries with people that you’re helping,” she said.

There was also a Community Helpers Session over the summer.

Heidinger says that session saw mostly teachers and school staff take part.

This time, there are more school staff, Saamis Immigration settlement workers, and community members.

Session offerings are based on interest.

And she says there has been more interest than before.

“I think a lot of people just want to help right now and that just speaks to our city. It’s just really important that we know what we’re looking for and how to help those that are struggling. And it’s not about having to be a professional in the field. It’s about building capacity in Medicine Hat with who’s already here. And we know that families are the best support to youth and young people right now, and if they know what to do and they know what to say, then there are more people who can be a support.”

Heidinger also works in the school and does the program with junior high and high school classrooms.

The Community Helpers virtual course takes place via Zoom and there’s still time to sign up by emailing communityhelpers@cmha-aser.ca

The first session is next week in the afternoon.

(Session times according to the Community Helpers Program Facebook page)

October 26th: 1:30pm-3:30pm
October 27th: 1:30pm-3:30pm
October 28th: 1:30pm-3:30pm
October 29th (possible): 1:30pm-3:30pm

There are 9 modules, participants who complete the modules receive a certificate.

The Community Helpers Program is funded by AHS and contracted through different agencies throughout Alberta like the CMHA. The program is delivered in 70 different Alberta communities.