April 14, May 6
Free mental health first aid trainings
Erie County will host the first of many mental health first aid trainings in Buffalo this spring. The events will take place from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, April 15, at Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium, and from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday, May 6, at the Frank E. Merriweather Library.
“Mental health first aid is a nationally recognized program that aims to make this important training as common as CPR,” said Office of Health Equity Director Kelly Wofford. “2022 was a stressful and traumatic year for our community. Our office decided to offer this valuable, effective training that gives an adult the tools they need to provide immediate and practical support to someone experiencing a mental health challenge.”
She continued, “We are making this happen here in Erie County. Several of our team have been trained to deliver this course as instructors, and we have already begun trainings for Erie County personnel.”
Co-instructors Arica Rouse and Eddie Payne from the Office of Health Equity will teach these two classes. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults, how to offer and provide help, and how to guide a person towards appropriate care.
These trainings are open to the public. Registration is required. Call 716-858-2385, email healthequity@erie.gov or visit the OHE web site.
The Office of Health Equity will also offer mental health first aid training to community groups, businesses and industry groups, faith organizations, non-profit agencies, schools and colleges; contact Arica Rouse at 716-858-2385 or healthequity@erie.gov to learn more.
April 17
Wellness and weight loss group forming in Kenmore
The Kenmore Village Improvement Society (KVIS) is forming a wellness and weight loss group. The purpose of the group is to share individual’s wellness goals and offer support in accomplishing those goals. People with all kinds of wellness goals are welcome, it could be reducing stress, exercising more, eating healthier, etc. The group is open to all and free of charge. Meetings will take place at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month (April 17). The April meeting will take place online via Zoom, please email the KVIS at mail@villageofkenmore.com for the meeting link.
The KVIS is a group of volunteers celebrating 15 years of serving the community. It strives to help make the community as good as possible in as many ways as needed. Membership to the KVIS is free and open to all people living anywhere who care about Kenmore.
For more information, please contact KVIS President Melissa Foster at mail@villageofkenmore.com.