Free mental health training for young people

Kearney, NE—A free mental health first aid training for youth will take place on Friday, April 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church. Danay Velasco and Paola Rodríguez will facilitate the training. Youth Mental Health First Aid provides essential training for people interested in supporting young people with mental health needs. Those interested in attending can register using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6JSQFNW. Spaces are limited.
Youth mental health first aid training provides participants with the tools necessary to understand, recognize, and respond effectively to signs of mental health and substance use problems. With a commitment to advocacy and education, this training will empower Spanish speakers to become agents of change to address mental health disparities. Despite the growing demand for bilingual mental health support, there remains a significant lack of resources and support tailored to the unique linguistic and cultural needs of Hispanic individuals.
With a deep understanding of mental health challenges and a passion for advocacy, bilingual mental health facilitators Danay Velasco and Paola Rodríguez are committed to equipping people with the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified assistants in mental health. Individuals will be able to learn from Danay Velasco and Paola Rodríguez, certified bilingual mental health facilitators, who will provide individuals with guidance and practical knowledge, empowering participants to gain the confidence and competence necessary to support health.
Danay Velasco, an electromechanical engineer and part-time pastoral ministry assistant at St. James Catholic Church, is making waves in mental health facilitation. Fluent in English and Spanish, Velasco’s dedication to her community led her to become a certified mental health first aid facilitator. Velasco is committed to equipping Spanish-speaking people with essential tools for mental health support, expanding reach and well-being for all.

Paola Rodríguez, mental health facilitator, has two degrees in Social Work and Family Studies.
Paola is a stay-at-home mom and is active in various initiatives at her local church, Kearney eFree Church, and other organizations. Her bilingual ability allows her to connect with Spanish-speaking people, and her recent certification as a Mental Health First Aid Facilitator further demonstrates her commitment to helping and getting involved within the community.
Buffalo County Community Partners is a nonprofit organization that identifies concerns affecting the well-being of area residents, addresses those concerns by collecting and evaluating data, and facilitating conversations between experts and affected parties. Partners are uniquely positioned for this work because they spend the time necessary to build connections with partners, increasing access to the resources and expertise needed to achieve a solution. Find more at www.bcchp.org or contact us at (308)865-2284 or info@bcchp.org