1in4 by talktobert

Did you know that 1 in 4 adults struggle with a treatable mental health condition each year? That’s almost 60 million people!

Who is your 1in4?

Do you know a family member, friend, veteran, or colleague quietly struggling with depression, ADHD, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, or some other mental health challenge? We can help you help them by encouraging them to...

First step to finding help by talktobert

Encourage them to call Bert Nash and ask for an appointment to see a therapist. Access Center staff will speak with them over the phone and assess their needs – and help them set up their first appointment with a therapist. The therapist may be a psychologist or a licensed social worker. (If they are in a crisis situation they will not have to wait for an appointment).

When they come in for their first appointment, they will go to the first floor reception of the Bert Nash Center at 200 Maine Street in Lawrence (the Community Health Facility). They will meet with an Access Center representative for a few minutes to go over paperwork and then they will meet with a therapist. Their therapist will determine the next steps for their treatment and set up the next appointment.

What if you want to talk to them about their mental health challenge, but you're worried about their reaction?

Sometimes it's hard to broach this topic. Sometimes we're lacking confidence or we're just worried about making the situation worse. If you're feeling this way, we recommend taking one of our Mental Health First Aid classes.

Mental Health First Aid Certification by talktobert

MHFA is a 12-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy — helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness.

Trainees are taught how to apply the 5-step strategy in a variety of situations, such as helping someone through a panic attack, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, or assisting an individual who has overdosed. An important component of the MHFA training is the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy rather than to just learn about it. This simple experience can make it easier to actually apply the knowledge in a real-life situation.

Classes are forming now for the fall:

• September Session: 6, 13, 20, 27th (4-7pm) Tuesdays

• October Session: 3, 10, 17, 24th (4-7pm) Mondays

• November Session: 7, 14, 21, 28th (4-7pm) Mondays

Classes cost $30 per person; which covers 12-hour instruction, a manual, and snacks. All classes are held at the Center and meet the requirements for approval of 12 CEUs. To sign up for a MHFA class, please email talktobert@bertnash.org.