Mental Health First Aid: CPR for the Brain

Wanted: Good Samaritans desiring to help anyone they may witness struggling with an emotional or mental health issue or a substance abuse disorder. Medical or health care background not necessary … just the brief course “Mental Health First Aid: CPR for the Brain” that will be offered 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville.

During the course, First Aiders will receive instruction in common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance abuse disorders, how to interact with a person in crisis, and how to connect that person with help.

The course is a two-part program that begins with an independent two-hour, self-paced online course that will be followed by the six-and-a-half-hour, in-person, instructor-led class that will include breaks.

Instructors include Diane McQueen and Tony Lyons, members of the Linden Oaks Hospital Mental Health First Aid Consortium that is sponsoring the course. Linden Oaks Hospital is a partner of Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare.

Registration is required by Monday, Nov. 11, at https://111624mhfaStThomas.eventbrite.com.

Cost of the course is $25.00 plus the Eventbrite registration fee.

Detailed information about the program is available at https://111624mhfaStThomas.eventbrite.com or by emailing Susan Kearney, behavioral health coordinator at St. Thomas, at sdkearney.comcast.net; or Diane McQueen, main office administrative assistant at St. Thomas, at dmcqueen@stapostle.org.