Trainings & Education

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

Why take Mental Health First Aid?

Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 American adults experience a mental health disorder. Within rural communities, there are limited mental health trainings, a lack of awareness regarding the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, and lack of information about and access to local mental health services, supports, and resources.

What are the course types currently being offered?

Adult Mental Health First Aid: This program is Mental Health First Aid’s core program. Within this course, participants learn about the risks and warning signs of mental health disorders. Participants also have opportunities to build understanding of their impact as Mental Health First Aiders and become equip with appropriate resources.

Youth Mental Health First Aid: This program highlights the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health disorders specific to adolescents (ages 12-18) as well as the importance of early intervention and how the help an adolescent who is in crisis. 

What will you learn?

The course will teach you how to apply the ALGEE action plan:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen non-judgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Who should attend?

• Employers
• Police officers
• Hospital staff
• First responders
• Faith leaders
• Community members
• Caring individuals
• Parents
• College/university leaders
• Human resource professionals
• Teachers and other school-based workers

Training Length

Trainings vary in length depending on the mode in which the training is offered.

• Fully In-Person: 8 hours
• Blended (Pre-Work Self-Paced Module + In-Person): 2-Hour Self-Paced Work + 6-Hour In-Person

CEUs - Continuing Education Units are available for Social Workers, LMHC’s, and LMFT’s. 

To inquire about hosting a MHFA course, please email events@seasonscenter.org

Trainer Biographies

Sarah Heinrichs-Wurm: Sarah is the VP of Program Development & Specialized Services at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Buena Vista University. Sarah has been with Seasons Center since 2013 serving in a variety of roles surrounding access to services, program development, grants and special projects, new program start-up, working with special populations, overseeing various data management, and supporting & promoting efforts to provide trauma-informed and evidence-based programming throughout Northwest Iowa. She has over 12 years of experience working with Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health populations. Sarah is a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and QPR Gatekeeper Instructor. She is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use by providing training, education, and general awareness.

Angie Palmer, FPSS: Angie is the Peer Support Specialist and a Family Peer Support at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology from Buena Vista University. Angie has been with Seasons Center since 2019 serving in a variety of roles supporting families over the years. She has both lived experience and professional training to support families navigating mental health and behavioral challenges. Angie is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

What is Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)?

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.
QPR can be learned in our Gatekeeper course in as little as one-two hour.

Why take Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)?

To save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.

What will you learn?
As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper you will learn to:

• Recognize the warning signs of suicide
• Know how to offer hope
• Know how to get help and save a life

Who should attend?
ANYONE can attend, however, this training is recommended for:

• Parents
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Teachers
• Ministers
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Office supervisors
• Squad leaders
• Foremen
• Police officers
• Advisors
• Caseworkers
• Firefighters
• And any others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide

Training Length
Trainings vary in length depending on group discussions, however, generally will not be shorter than one hour and will not exceed two hours.

CEUs - Continuing Education Units are available for Social Workers, LMHC’s, and LMFT’s. 

Upcoming Courses

Trainer Biography

Sarah Heinrichs-Wurm: Sarah is the VP of Program Development & Specialized Services at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Buena Vista University. Sarah has been with Seasons Center since 2013 serving in a variety of roles surrounding access to services, program development, grants and special projects, new program start-up, working with special populations, overseeing various data management, and supporting & promoting efforts to provide trauma-informed and evidence-based programming throughout Northwest Iowa. She has over 12 years of experience working with Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health populations. Sarah is a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and QPR Gatekeeper Instructor. She is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use by providing training, education, and general awareness.

What is Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)?

LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day face-to-face workshop featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. At a LivingWorks ASIST workshop, participants will learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive. Two knowledgeable, supportive trainers will guide participants through the course, ensuring participant comfort and safety.

What will you learn?
Over the course of their two-day workshop, ASIST participants learn to:

• Understand the ways that personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions;
• Provide guidance and suicide first aid to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual safety needs;
• Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it;
• Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large;
• And recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention including life-promotion and self-care.

Who should attend?
Anyone can attend these trainings. However, due to the level of intensity of ASIST, this training is recommended for:

• Administrators
• Firefighters
• Police/Corrections
• Clergy/Pastoral Workers
• Youth Workers
• Psychologists
• Military Members, Veterans, or Family Members
• Military Chaplains/Assistants
• Educators
• Counselors
• Nurses
• Social Workers
• Physicians
• Transit Workers
• And any others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide

Training Length
Trainings are 15 hours total, spread across two full days.  Attendance is required both days.

CEUs Available
Continuing Education Units are available for Social Workers, LMHC’s, and LMFT’s. 

Upcoming Courses

To inquire about attending or hosting an upcoming course, please email events@seasonscenter.org

Trainer Biography

Michelle Theesfeld, LMHC: Michelle Theesfeld is currently an Outpatient Therapist and School-Based Service Specialist with Seasons. Prior to joining Seasons Center in 2017, Michelle was a mental health counselor at Hope Haven providing services to children, adolescents, families, adults, and couples. Michelle is certified in play therapy and marriage and family therapy. Additionally, Michelle has training in integrating art into therapy, PCIT, DBT, TF-CBT, sand tray therapy, and Gottman's couples counseling. Michelle is truly passionate about supporting individuals as they advocate for themselves and find empowerment within their ability to work through the barriers and obstacles they have encountered interpersonally or within their life experiences and interactions. 

Seasons Center offers other Regional Summits and Trainings throughout the year.  These trainings ususally feature a national or regional speaker presenting on topics such as:

• Mental health and/or substance use disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression)
• Trauma (adult and childhood)
• Trauma informed-care
• Working/supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges
• Self-care, secondary trauma, burnout
• Cultural competency
• Foster and adoptive mental health
• Rural mental health

For the most up-to-date information on upcoming trainings, please visit the Events page on our website:  https://seasonscenter.org/events.php or our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/SeasonsCenterForBehavioralHealth