MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA) CERTIFICATION COURSE                                                                 Friday May 12th, 5-9pm AND Saturday May 13th, 10 am-2 pm  (8 hour class)                                                               Cost: $50 (Sliding scale fee available if needed)                                                                                     Location: St. Louise Parish, Bellevue Info: Cathy Callans [email protected] or 425-614-6225
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training course that teaches participants, through discussion, role playing, videos and exercises, how to recognize and address symptoms of mental health challenges and implement appropriate support strategies. It is an evidenced based program that is currently being taught in over 23 countries.
DE-ESCALATION TRAINING: IMPROVING SAFETY THROUGH PURPOSEFUL COMMUNICATION & BEHAVIOR                                                                                                                                                            Date: Wednesday , May 17^th                                                                                                                              Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM                                                                                                                                     Location: St. James Cathedral Pastoral Outreach Center
With empathy as a cornerstone, we can consciously influence individuals who are emotionally and behaviorally challenging in a healing way. Marty Reinsel, MA, LMHC, Clinical Educator and Therapist at Navos Psychiatric Hospital will teach basic intervention and de-escalation approaches including verbal and non-verbal communication, environmental and safety considerations and basic non-violent physical defense. Essential for all who volunteer and work in ministries providing outreach to our less advantaged brothers and sisters in Christ who experience serious mental illness and / or addiction.  RSVP to Nancy Granger 206-382-4269 or [email protected]
 
  MENTAL HEALTH OPEN FORUM
Date: Wednesday, May 24^th
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: St. Louise Parish
Facilitated by:  Cecilia P. Margret, MD, PhD, MPH (Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist)
 Cathy Callans, MA, LMHC (St. Louise Pastoral Counselor)
This discussion will revolve around the mental health needs and concerns of our communities. Please come with questions and concerns related to your or a loved one’s mental health challenges. We are looking to assess the needs of our parish communities so that parish staff can better meet the identified needs. Contact Cathy at [email protected] or 425-614-6225
 
MENTAL HEALTH CONNECTIONS: EDUCATION, AWARENESS & HEALING IN THESPIRIT                             Date: Saturday May 27^th                                                                                                                                                 Time: 1 – 5pm                                                                                                                                                            Location:  St. Luke’s Catholic Parish in Shoreline.                                                                                                   Email Anisa Ralls at [email protected] for more information.
Speakers include young adults, Deacon Jim Decker, Vietnam Vet Chuck Valen & other Mental Health Professionals. This event will feature an art exhibition of original works that depict stories of mental illness and healing and will conclude with the option to attend 5pm mass at St Luke Parish, which will include prayers for healing.
 
For more ideas on how to support efforts to help those who are impacted with mental illness, go to http://mentalhealthministries.net/.