While this is happening just outside West Seattle, it’s about a matter of life or death – mental health and suicide prevention – so we’re sharing the invitation. It’s from Zach Filer, a former West Seattle entrepreneur now with Northwest Strength and Performance in SODO. The next two weekends, you’re invited to get educated, via a free “Mental Health First Aid” course taught by Donna Dykstra:

This will be taking place October 15th and 23rd from 10 am-2 pm. The course is already up on Eventbrite and is capped at 25 participants. [Register here.] Donna is donating her time and the manuals for this course and the goal is to just get this information out to people who need it or may want be able to offer better peer support to others.

Here’s what Mental Health First Aid is all about:

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like, “What do I do?” and, “Where can someone find help?” Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors provide a list of community health-care providers and national resources, support groups and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. All trainees receive a program manual to complement the course material.

Attendance is required on both days; bring your own lunch. It’s a step toward a monthly “LiveForward” support group they’re organizing, but it’s potentially life-saving information you can use in many situations. Questions? oldcountrystrong@gmail.com – NWSP is at 2920 1st Ave. S.