Why I am certified in Mental Health First Aid?

…Because 1 in 5 American adults experience a mental health disorder in a single year.

This matters to me.  Mental Health challenges are very real – as real as challenges that manifest physically in the body.  I am committed to cultivating an exercise atmosphere that emphasizes mental health in a space that feels safe and supported.

…Because less than half (44%) of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2019.

I completed the Mental Health First Aid certification course.  This taught me how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use issues in people around me. Learning about common mental health challenges that can arise in people allows me to know how to be support anyone who is struggling.  Also, this allowed me to learn how to support my own wellness.   

…Because almost half of all American adults will experience a mental illness during the course of their lifetime.

Now I have knowledge and skills to foster wellness, even in the midst of crisis, without judgment or perpetuating stigma. I want to make sure that I know  how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary.

…Because, when I have had been in the midst of mental and emotional battles, this is what I wish someone had done for me.