North Shenandoah News

Loudoun County offers ongoing mental health education and substance abuse prevention programs. All programs are free, but registration is required, and seats are limited. The schedule of upcoming classes for April 2022 is as follows:

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid offers training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. The training also teaches the skills that someone needs to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. There are two versions of the program, a general adult program and a program for adults who interact with youth. The virtual trainings are usually held over a two-day period, with the class lasting for about three hours each day. The next training is: 

• Adult Mental Health First Aid: April 20 & 21: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. each day. 

For details about the training and to register, visit loudoun.gov/mhfirstaid.

Opioid Overdose Reversal

Loudoun County offers local training sessions of REVIVE!, the opioid overdose and naloxone education program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Anyone who uses opioids or knows someone who is using opioids is encouraged to attend. The virtual sessions last about one hour. Upcoming classes are scheduled:

• April 15: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
• April 18: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• April 29: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

For details about the training and to register, visit loudoun.gov/revive.

Suicide Prevention Training

The Question Persuade Refer program offers training to help people recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to refer someone for professional help. The suicide prevention training teaches three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide; question, persuade and refer. The virtual training presentation lasts about one hour. Discussion and practice opportunities will follow the presentation. The next class will be held: 

• April 18: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

For details about the training and to register, visit loudoun.gov/suicidepreventiontraining.

For more information on the prevention and intervention services offered by the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services, visit loudoun.gov/mhsadsprevention or send an email.

Original source can be found here.