As part of The College of New Rochelle's Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing course, students were required to complete forty-two of hours of activities or events working with individuals suffering from mental health challenges or gaining awareness on these issues. 

 

One of the activities encouraged was the Mental Health First Aid training program; a part of NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio's ThriveNYC initiative with a goal to certify 250,000 people in first aid techniques to respond to crisis of mental health and substance abuse. I was fortunate to receive certification in both the Youth and Adult version of the course in November 2017.

 

After my training, I collaborated with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Professors in  the School of Nursing and Health Professions to arrange two special on-campus training sessions in which more than 60 students received certification. Plans are to continue this initiative as an annual event.