Events
Events
The Reading Coalition will be hosting Mental Health First Aid USA trainings at the Reading Public library this fall. Each training is for adults 18+ that want to support others in basic mental health literacy and support. See details for each training series below:
The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support will offer a special course. Mental Health First Aid for adults is skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge. Similar to physical First Aid and CPR, MHFA helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis until professional assistance is obtained or the crisis is resolved. First Aiders learn an action plan to recognize warning signs of a mental health or substance use challenge, provide help in crisis and non-crisis situations and understand where to turn for additional assistance. The course will be taught by Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, Credentialed Instructor, National Council on Mental Wellbeing. Participants must attend all four sessions on Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 6-8pm at Reading Public Library to become certified as a First Aider. Register at https://conta.cc/45cNuCs
Youth MHFA for Adults Supporting Youth
The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support invites adults to participate in a special course. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan including: Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen nonjudgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help and Encourage self-help and other support strategies. The instructors, Erica McNamara & Krystal Mellonakos-Garay, are credentialed through the National Council on Mental Wellbeing for Mental Health First Aid USA. Join us for all 4 sessions to become certified as a first aider on November 9, 16, 30 from 6-8 pm and Dec. 7 from 6-8 pm at the Reading Public Library. Register at https://conta.cc/3DKbCQQ
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR PROVIDERS BREAKFAST IN NOVEMBER!
Friday, November 3rd, 2023, 8am-9:30am @ RMHS
Healthcare and mental health providers will be invited to network with Reading Public Schools staff, and the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support.
Past events
- Reading Police and Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support observed International Overdose Awareness Day on 8/31/23 at 6pm at the Reading Town Common. An Interfaith prayer vigil followed at 6:45 pm at First Congregational Church. View coverage of the event provided by Reading Recap
- Reading Coalition & PAIR at Juneteenth Freedom Festival, special thanks to SOCA and all of the community partners that made this event such a success!
- Mindfulness @ Mattera Cabin. Coalition staff hosted weekly walks this past summer at Mattera Cabin (1481 Main St.). We practiced mindfulness activities and focused on self-care. All are welcome!
- Talking about Women and Our Relationship to Alcohol featuring Drink, a memoir on Alcohol Use by Ann Dowsett-Johnson was hosted on 4/20/23 @ Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue. A quote from Ann on her book "I grew up in a world where people kept secrets: it was taboo to talk about my mother’s problematic drinking. When I first discovered I too had a problem with drinking, I turned to memoirs to find my way forward. When I found recovery, my one wish was to write a book for all the women still struggling, numbing with alcohol. Writing Drink was one of the happiest experiences of my life, and when the book was finished, I knew I had broken the taboo."
- Postpartum & Perinatal Mental Health Presentation, 4/27/23 @ the Reading Public Library from 7-8:30pm, sponsored by Reading Coalition. In light of recent events, we all have questions about postpartum depression and perinatal mental health. Join us to learn what to look for and how to help if you believe someone is experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression. Our Public Safety Clinician Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, LMHC, MLADC, will be leading the discussion. Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, MA.
