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Mental health training focuses on empathy

Daily Mining Gazette/Joshua Vissers Mental health first aid training’s mascot, a koala named ALGEE. It’s name is a mnemonic device to help trainees remember the mental health first aid basics.

L’ANSE — Trainers from Copper Country Community Mental Health presented a training for individuals interested in being able to both identify individuals potentially suffering a mental health problem, like depression, anxiety substance abuse or eating disorders, and offer their assistance.

“If you remember ALGEE you’re most of the way there,” certified trainer Brian Rendel said.

ALGEE is both the name of Mental Health First Aid’s koala mascot and an acronym for the five-step action plan – Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen non-judgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help, and Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

Rendel said the steps do not necessarily happen in the order they are in the acronym, but keeping each in mind is paramount.

Intervention in a mental health crisis can be particularly important, because unlike physical illness people suffering from mental health problems often delay seeking treatment. Rendel said the average delay is ten years, and tends to be higher for some problems like substance abuse.

Rendel said that people in the midst of a mental health crisis tend to become isolated, which can be worse in Copper Country because of the rural nature of the community.

“We tend to give each other a lot of space,” he said.

He hopes that the training will encourage attendees to approach someone they think may be in a crisis and be confident in rendering basic assistance.

“What we’re trying to do ultimately is trying to develop some empathy,” trainer Taryn Mason said.

Rendel said that people want to know what to do in these situations. Doing the wrong things is usually a result of trying to help but not knowing how.

“I’m getting this certification to augment what I do,” Elizabeth Hirzel said.

Hirzel is a registered behavior technician working with Centria Healthcare Autism Services. She also volunteers as a counselor in several schools in the area. She hopes to be able to integrate what she learned about mental health on Friday into those services.

The trainings are regularly sponsored by Copper Country Mental Health Services and Rice memorial Clinic Foundation. Friday’s training was free to attendees thanks to sponsorship from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Baraga County Communities That Care Coalition/NorthCare Network.

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