Webinar: Strategies to implement and adapt Adult Spanish Mental Health First Aid Training

Webinar Description

Offering Mental Health First Aid training to Spanish-speaking members of our community is an important step in equity and an ongoing need that can help reduce stigma and recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis.

Webinar Objectives

In this webinar, participants will:

• Identify foundational information about Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental (Spanish Mental Health First Aid).
• Understand cultural barriers and mental health stigma in the Latino/a/x community.
• Describe recommendations for implementation.

Presenters

Araceli Mendez, MPH, CHW. Araceli Mendez is a Program Coordinator with the OSU Center for Health Innovation and a certified Community Health Worker (CHW). She became a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer to help communities recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use. She believes that through increased awareness and training we can each help reduce stigma and connect people with resources and support in our communities. Araceli was especially interested in making this possible for the Spanish-speaking communities and became a certified instructor to teach MHFA in Spanish. The hope is that more non-English speaking communities will have the tools needed to address mental health challenges.

Oralia Mendez, MPH, CHW. Oralia serves as the Workforce Development and Community Programs Manager at the OSU Center for Health Innovation. Oralia is a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) and has over 9 years of professional experience serving as a CHW in Oregon. Oralia received instructor training for Mental Health First Aid in 2019 in order to support communities, and recognize signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis To continue to grow this community of First Aiders, she received additional training in 2021 to facilitate Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental (Spanish Mental Health First Aid) training for Spanish-speaking communities.