BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University Extension is offering a virtual Mental Health First Aid training for anyone who supports people experiencing stress and other emotional issues.

Adults who work with or support adult family members, clients and/or coworkers dealing with mental health, substance or emotional issues are especially encouraged to attend.

The Adult Mental Health First Aid Course is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Oct. 24, online via Zoom. It is free to attend. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “aid.”

Participants must complete two hours of self-paced online course preparation prior to the Oct. 24 training. Once registered, participants will receive instructions on how to complete the preparatory work.

Mental Health First Aid training is an evidence-based public education and prevention tool to teach the public about mental health and substance problems and to connect people with care.

During the training, participants will learn the warning signs, symptoms and possible risk factors of mental health problems and how to create a five-step action plan for offering support.

“Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training to assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head, SDSU Extension family resource management field specialist.

For more information, contact Saboe-Wounded Head at 605-782-3290 or lorna.woundedhead@sdstate.edu; or Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension community vitality program director, at 605-394-1722 or peggy.schlecter@sdstate.edu.