Pontotoc Technology Center Health Coordinator, Angela McElhannon and Health Instructor, Rebecca Brawdy received their Adult Mental Health First Aid Certifications this week.
The certification can serve a wide variety of professionals who may encounter mental health issues as a matter of their daily work duties or in the community. "Anyone who interacts with the public in the course of their day-to-day activities can benefit from this education," said McElhannon. "Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness is the first step in responding to someone in crisis," she continued.
"Mental health is just as critical in a healthcare educational setting as physical health. I want to be a resource for my students if they find themselves in need." says Brawdy.
The knowledge, techniques, and skills learned in this process are designed to promote mental health literacy. In participating in this program, McElhannon and Brawdy can directly contribute to a healthier workplace at PTC and in our community by being able to provide early intervention and support for mental health issues when and wherever they may occur.