Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation Providing Free Mental Health Training

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - May 13, 2015 - PRLog -- To help bring attention to Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation is pleased to announce they are sponsoring a free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification course on Friday, May 22^nd, 2015 from 8am to 5:30pm at the St. Johns Outpatient Care Center in St. Augustine, FL.

The course will be instructed by Sini Summerlin, MHFA instructor, who will teach a five-step action plan to offer initial help to people with signs and symptoms of a mental illness, or who are in crisis, and learn to connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social or self help care. Anyone is welcome to take the course, but it’s designed for adults that work with young people age 12-18. Teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities are encouraged to attend

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to educate the public about the signs to look for in someone suffering from mental illness,” stated Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Sentelik. “Our goal is not only to increase awareness, but reduce some of the stigma that can be associated with mental illness,” added Sentelik.

Seating is limited and registration is required. The St. Johns Outpatient Care Center is located at 200 San Sebastian View, Room 2206 (Egret), St. Augustine, FL. Reservations can be made via this link: https://docs.google.com/a/marketing2go.biz/forms/d/1zlYa65TS4mb4ibRMmkF92HX1BYf3eXc9v6kdObjOIXY/viewform

For more information or to participate in a Mental Health First Aid training in Flagler County, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid-florida.com or email Sini Summerlin, MHFA at mhfa.florida@gmail.com.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation launched a Who is Jay campaign to engage and educate the community about mental health awareness. There are four outdoor boards (billboards) throughout Volusia, Putnam and St. John’s County directing them to the website http://whoisjay.org. People are also encouraged to visit and like the Foundation’s Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/StewartMarchmanActFoundation and spread the hashtag #WhoisJay? to increase awareness.

For over 65 years, Mental Health America and our affiliates across the country have led the observance of May is Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings. We welcome other organizations to join us in spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about by.

Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundationwas founded by Jim Foster at the request of Hal Marchman in 1997. The volunteer board of directors is comprised of leading professionals, business leaders, and citizens from the Volusia/Flagler area. The Foundation's sole mission is to build resources, public awareness, and research to support the programs of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare, the leading non-profit behavioral healthcare organization in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties.

Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation is a 501C-3 corporation and is eligible for tax-exempted contributions by the US Internal Revenue Service. They accept cash donations, stocks and securities, as well as land and property. They can be found online at http://www.smafoundation.com or reached via telephone at 386-254-1136.