Cherokee County Organizations Offering Mental Health First Aid Training 

CHEROKEE, Iowa - In response to our nation’s mental health crisis, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Cherokee County, along with Cherokee County Public Health and Western Iowa Tech Community College will bring two Mental Health First Aid classes to Cherokee on March 24th and 25th , 2025. This groundbreaking skills-based course gives people the tools to identify, understand and respond to someone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge — and connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary. 

One in five Americans has a mental illness, and the pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety, but many are reluctant to seek help or don’t know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late. 

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support. The class qualifies as continuing education credits for many professions, including social workers and nurses. 

“This program is breaking down barriers and stigma so that together we can learn how to better support one another. Without mental health, there is no health,” said Danielle Day, Health and Human Sciences Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will be holding the Mental Health First Aid class at NO COST to the public as part of a disaster response program with the Project Recovery Iowa FEMA grant funding. The morning track class will be held 8AM-12PM on both Monday, March 24th and Tuesday, March 25th . The afternoon track will be held both days from 12:30PM-4:30PM. Participants must attend both sessions of their track to be marked as attended. These classes will be held at the Western Iowa Tech Cherokee Campus, 200 Victory Drive, Cherokee, IA 51012. Each class is limited to the first 30 participants. 

For more information or to register for the Mental Health First Aid training in Cherokee visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/MHFA or contact Cherokee County Public Health at 712.225.2129.