Zeeland Hospital offering mental health first aid courses

Zeeland Community Hospital and the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan are offering mental health first aid classes, the first of their kind in the Spectrum Health system.

The first class, youth mental health first aid was held on Tuesday, March 29. According to Zeeland Hospital officials, registration filled up two weeks before the class, and a waiting list was put in place. The class focuses on education, awareness and prevention of mental illness.

The course was developed in response to the results of the 2015 Ottawa County Community Health Needs Assessment, which identified mental health as one of the most prevalent health issues in the county, closely followed by access to health care and healthy behaviors.

Those results are similar to the 2016 County Health Rankings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ottawa County was ranked first in health outcomes in that assessment, but had the highest average number of poor mental health days in Michigan's 83 counties.

"It is very apparent that this area is more advanced in mental health awareness," said Mindy Sears, an ICU nurse at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey who traveled nearly four hours to attend the first class. "This training offered a safe environment for participants to discuss the topics and learn about the available resources. Many individuals were personally affected by mental illness and were able to open up about their experiences."

There are three other opportunities to attend a session at Zeeland Community Hospital. Another youth mental health first aid class will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Two adult mental health first aid courses will be held on Wednesday, June 1, and Thursday, Nov. 17.

The cost of the class is $25, which includes a workbook and lunch.

For more information or to register, visit spectrumhealth.org/zeeland or call 616-748-2834. Zeeland Community Hospital is located at 8333 Felch St.

- Follow this reporter on Twitter @SentinelErin.