The News reported on Friday that Partners in Prevention announced in a press release Thursday that it has received a four-year Mental Health and Awareness Training Project grant to cover Crisis Intervention Training in Montmorency County next month.

The four-year grant will allow Partners in Prevention to bring this training to first responders in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties.

Mental health cases are seen everywhere, so we’re glad to see that Northeast Michigan will get funding for such invaluable training.

Crisis Intervention Training teaches mental health first aid, youth mental health first aid, available resources for referrals, and how to safely de-escalate a crisis. After the training, first responders will be properly taught to not only recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness but also know how to care for an individual in crisis or lead them to other resources that could help them further.

Partners in Prevention is working with several community resources for their upcoming training in Montmorency County, including Tri-Township Fire Department, Tri-Township Emergency Medical Service, Montmorency Sheriff’s Department, Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health, McLaren Health Care, Alcona Health Center, MyMichigan Health, and Thunder Bay Community Health Service.

Knowing that so many health professionals and other community resources are taking the time to attend these trainings is both encouraging and comforting. It shows their dedication to better themselves and therefore better the care they can provide to anyone in need.

This four-hour intensive program will be Partners in Prevention’s third effort in this capacity, having previously done two successful trainings in Alpena and Presque Isle Counties.

We’re glad to see that Partners is already in the planning stages of bringing the training to Alcona County sometime in the new year.

If you are interested in participating in any of the training opportunities offered by Partners in Prevention under this grant umbrella, email programs@nemcpi.org.