You are invited to join us for a Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (in-person)

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 8:00am to 4:30pm

Time:  8:00 am – 4:30 pm with a half-hour lunch break; registration begins at 7:30am

Location:  UNL Extension Room at College Park, 3180 W. Hwy 34, Grand Island

Cost:  $10 for box lunch (provided on-site). Invoice for lunch will be sent upon completing registration.

Accommodations:  Seating limited to 30 people to allow for safe social distancing. Face coverings will be provided, or feel free to bring your own. Bottled water and refreshments will be available.

To Register:   Email Naomi@cncaa.info by Wednesday, April 28^th (Name, organization you work with, email and phone)

Parking:  Please plan to park and enter on north side of College Park

Sometimes, first aid isn’t a bandage, or CPR, or the Heimlich, or calling 911. Sometimes, first aid is YOU!

A young person you know could be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can help them. You are more likely to encounter someone — friend, family member, student, neighbor, or member of the community — in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self help care. Anyone can take the 8-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid course, but it is ideally designed for adults who work with young people, ages 12-18 — teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities, social workers, and other caring citizens.

Sometimes, the best first aid is you. Take the course, save a life, strengthen your community.

Currently this training will be an in-person training — if this changes you will be notified immediately by email.

Thank you!

This training opportunity is sponsored by the Hall County Community Collaborative, Region 3 Behavioral Health Services and hosted by the Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Inc. a partner agency of the Heartland United Way

Your Trainer: Dr. Sarah Griess.  As a Nebraska native I feel honored to serve my community by helping members of our local communities to grow and heal. I enjoy being able to come alongside others, helping to make space for pain, healing, growth and ultimately, hope. It is a privilege to do this work and to offer a space where someone can come to find connection to who they truly are and were meant to be. In addition to counseling, I find it important to be an advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. I serve as the co-chair for the Grand Island Area Coalition on Trafficking and serve on the board for the Diocese of Grand Island Child Protection Office. I also volunteer for Teen Reach, Inc., a program that serves local at risk teens. My educational training consists of the following:  University of Nebraska at Kearney,  MSEd. in Community Counseling and University of Northern Colorado, Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.)

I have taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Northern Colorado for Masters level students pursuing careers in the counseling field and held the position of Assistant Director and Director of Training at the University of Northern Colorado where I coordinated an American Psychological Association Accredited training program for Doctoral Interns in Psychology, while continuing my clinical work. I am an Instructor for Mental Health First Aid, an internationally recognized certification course that provides education around mental health and challenges stigma and an instructor for QPR, a program for suicide intervention. I have conducted group therapy for female survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault since 2007 through the WINGS Foundation, the University of Washington, and through the University of Northern Colorado Counseling Center. I have also been a volunteer for local youth programs including Royal Family Kids Inc. and Teen Reach Adventure Camp (T.R.A.C.).  As a clinician who works with survivors of various types of trauma, I have become certified in EMDR. EMDR allows a person to work through trauma by facilitating the brain’s natural healing methods, allowing survivors to have comprehensive healing in thoughts, images, beliefs, emotions and addressing triggers.