MENOMINEE — In response to the nation’s mental health crisis, the M&M Area Community Foundation will host free Mental Health First Aid training from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2.

This skills-based course gives people the tools to identify, understand and respond to someone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge — and connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary.

Participation includes in-person training in the community room at Bridgeview Apartment, 1801 Eighth Ave., Menominee. Lunch will be provided, compliments of the MMACF.

All who are interested in attending must register with the community foundation at 906-864-3599 by Friday, March 25. Each participant will be expected to complete two hours of pre-training work, which they will receive after registering with the foundation.

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a five-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.

“As leaders in our community, the foundation wants to be a part of the national initiative to increase mental health literacy. We are happy to be able to provide this $175 training free of charge to residents across Marinette and Menominee counties,” said Paula Gruszynski, MMACF executive director.

One in five Americans has a mental illness, and the pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety, but many are reluctant to seek help or don’t know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.

“Never has it been more important for our communities to talk about mental health and substance use,” said Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, which helped bring Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. in 2008. “This program is breaking down barriers and stigma so that together we can learn how to better support one another. Without mental health, there is no health.”