Entertainment Editor
With the support of the Alliance of Southwest Missouri, Crowder College’s Social Science Division and the TRIO Program, THE Family Conference is teaching first aid training for college students and adults. The training is geared for youth between the ages of 12–18 with mental health issues.
According to Crystal Ludiker, program director of Newton County Community through the Alliance of Southwest Missouri, this new program is designed to train adults and students, especially those who are currently or will be working with teens, to be aware of the signs for mental problems and have an understanding for them.
“I think it would be a great idea,” said Kinberlun Polanco, a psychology major. “Because we get to expand our knowledge on what is mental illness and how we can treat them if we see them manifested on a child”
The training is meant for adults who are around teens, such as coaches, church leaders, family members, social workers and teachers, although anyone who is interested is welcome to join the session. The session is not teaching people how to care and treat the mentally ill, but more like being the middle man for the mentally ill and the physician.
“We’re not necessarily teaching people how to diagnose or treat mental illness or mental crazies but rather to be able to recognize and identify,” said Ludiker. “It’s kind of an early intervention.”
The training will be held Oct. 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Wright Conference Center on the Neosho campus and cost $49 for classes and lunch. Registration forms are available at www.crowder.edu/thefamilyconference.
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