Local Prevention Coalitions Introduce Stronger Together Mental Health First Aid Training to East Providence Residents

The East Providence Prevention Coalition, East Bay Regional Coalition and the East Providence Public Library is pleased to announce the initiation of the Stronger Together program in East Providence, and other East Bay communities, with the first community workshop scheduled for July 14th, from 5-7:30pm, at the Fuller Creative Learning Center, located at 260 Dover Ave. East Providence.

This mental health education program will equip community members with skills to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges and crises experienced by their family, friends and fellow community members.

The workshop is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about mental health and effectively addressing mental health concerns in a personal or professional context.

The Stronger Together program is a mental health training opportunity that educates about mental health and approaching someone presenting with mental health concerns. The program is designed to provide knowledge about mental health, develop skills for approaching someone struggling with mental health concerns, promote a positive attitude regarding mental health, and increase self-efficacy around matters of mental health.

”Anyone, anywhere can be the one to make a difference in the life of someone with a mental health or substance misuse challenge- if they know what to do or say” says Madeline Marlow, East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC) Coordinator. “The difference between someone contemplating suicide and one who goes through with the act could be a friend, teacher, coach or parent who knows what to look for and how to engage people in open conversation. Those are the skills learned through programs such as Stronger Together.”

Although registration is not required to attend, you may pre-register or request more information by emailing EastBayMHAT@gmail.com,  Drop in attendance is also welcome.

“Stronger Together provides everyday community members with actionable steps to support themselves and each other in the face of challenges. It is needed now more than ever before, as the pandemic has disrupted the social and economic landscape so many of us rely on,” Marlow said.

Stronger Together is brought to the community by the Mental Health Awareness Training Grant, East Bay Regional Coalition, East Providence Prevention Coalition and the East Providence Public Library. To find out more about this and other mental health and substance use resources, visit www.riprevention.org  or reach out the EPPC at eppc@eastprovidenceri.gov.