Education & Training

MHA of Rockland offers an array of mental health and substance use trainings and educational opportunities to community members and our professional partners in the community.  We provide mental health information, presentations, workshops and training.

Consultation, Planning, Program Design and Implementation

Our staff includes licensed clinicians, nurses, psychiatrists, care managers, and people with personal experience as family members and those in recovery. We offer our expertise to help organizations and schools develop or improve the mental health component of their programs.

Training offerings include the following:

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. This training is the “CPR” of suicide prevention. Topics include:

  • How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal
  • Practice interactive steps for referring someone for help
  • Learn the warning signs of suicide
  • Find local resources

Mental Health First Aid Course

A comprehensive 8 hour training that enable participants to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use crises. Similar to medical First Aid, participants learn an action plan to help individuals connect to support and treatment. 

Mental Health First Aid is a groundbreaking public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. The program has gotten national attention since the Newtown tragedy, and has been promoted by the President, Vice President, Congress, Senate, Mental Health America, and MHA of New York State. To date, more than 100,000 people have been trained nationwide. This program is designed for non mental health professionals. We are hoping to get a wide array of attendees including teachers, students, clergy, librarians, first responders, business owners, human resource professionals, and caring citizens.

Mental Health & Wellness 101

This customizable training increases basic knowledge of mental health and provides framework of wellness and assists participants in developing self-care “toolkits.” This training is designed for schools, libraries, businesses  and other community organizations.

Information and Literature

Individual fact sheets, pamphlets, brochures, videos and self-help clearinghouse on a variety of mental health topics are available in our Valley Cottage office at no cost.

For more information on Community Education & Trainings, contact:

Sonia Wagner, LCSW-R
845.267.2172, x323
[email protected]