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Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center offers free Mental Health First Aid training for county staff
Summary
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center representatives asked commissioners to let them provide Mental Health First Aid training to county staff at no cost to participants; commissioners expressed interest and asked staff about scheduling and potential links to employee wellness incentives.
Representatives from Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEK MHC) presented June 16 about offering Mental Health First Aid training to Linn County employees. Shelly Kelly (project director) and Angie Smith (instructor) outlined course content, evidence base and ways to tailor sessions for county staff and first responders.
Program details: Instructors said Mental Health First Aid is not counseling but an evidence-based recognition-and-referral program (an “ALGEE” five-step action plan) that trains participants to identify signs of crises, provide initial support and help connect people to services. The instructors said they can deliver adult, youth and community‑specific variants and noted prior training provided to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and corrections staff.
Cost and logistics: SEK MHC representatives said they maintain a “magic piggy bank” of stipends and grant funds to offer these trainings at no charge; the trainers said the minimum class size is five and that certification is valid three years with online refreshers available. Commissioners asked whether completion of Mental Health First Aid might influence insurance biometric or wellness programs; trainers offered to check with benefit staff and report back.
Action and interest: Commissioners indicated support for starting with county staff (including the health department and public safety) and discussed scheduling options that would not require a single all‑day shutdown of county operations. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate scheduling and to consider public sessions in addition to staff training.
Next steps: Trainers will coordinate dates with county staff; commissioners asked staff to confirm whether the training could be integrated into the county’s wellness offerings and to publicize sessions to employees.
