Improvements to MEND part 3: mental health awareness

In our third article about improvements to Upper Valley MEND based on a 2024 survey, we’re addressing mental health awareness.

In the survey MEND conducted across a portion of staff members, board members and volunteers, participants expressed a desire for more training and support around caring for others, especially related to mental illness. In response to this, MEND provided a number of trainings to ensure staff felt emotionally equipped to help community members dealing with mental illness.

·       A skills training with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Behavioral Health Unit to better understand mental illness

·       A Mental Health First Aid course offered through Wenatchee Valley College

·       Ongoing first aid and CPR training

Offering specialized training to our staff and volunteers enables Upper Valley MEND to be equipped with the skills necessary to assist those facing health or safety challenges with compassion, care, and relevant expertise.