Melrose Residents Invited To Mental Health First Aid And Narcan Training

MELROSE, MA — The city's Health and Human Services announced that it will host several community trainings and events in August and September focused on mental health awareness, overdose prevention, and recovery support.

The first event is a Youth Mental Health First Aid certification course that will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and Thursday, Aug. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The first session will be held in the Cassidy Conference Room, while the second will take place in the Melrose City Council Chamber. Attendance on both days is required to receive certification, and registration is required. Participants will receive a course manual and guidebook.

Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among young people. The course is designed to help community members recognize when someone may be struggling, provide initial support, and connect them with appropriate professional resources.

According to Melrose Health and Human Services, participants will learn how to recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, interact with someone experiencing a crisis, connect individuals with help, and practice self-care techniques.

The department will also host a free Narcan training on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room at the Melrose Public Library. The open office hours session will teach community members how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and administer naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. The training takes approximately five to 10 minutes, and participants will receive free Narcan and additional resources. Walk-ins are welcome.

In recognition of Overdose Awareness Month in August and Recovery Month in September, the city will also hold an Overdose Awareness Month flag-raising ceremony on Friday, Aug. 28, at noon outside Melrose City Hall.

Melrose Health and Human Services is also asking residents to save the date for a Recovery Month Storytelling Event, which is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Melrose Public Library.

See Also:

Melrose Volunteers to Prepare Farmers’ Market Meals for Local Seniors

Melrose Says Community Electricity Customers Will Save On Electric Bills

Melrose Nonprofit Awarded $45K Cummings Foundation Grant

Noodle Restaurant Appears To Be Coming To Vacant Downtown Melrose Space

Melrose Residents Affected By Overnight Power Outage