Over the years, our Resilience Grows Here program has built a reputation for providing evidence-based community education to destigmatize mental health challenges. This year we developed a full curriculum for our school aged students. Part of our mental health strategic plan is to foster new and creative partnerships within our community, to broaden the impact of mental health literacy training, and to build community confidence in having important conversations about our mental health.
This summer, the FVHD Community Health team partnered with summer camps to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid and QPR: Suicide Prevention training for camp leaders. FVHD provided training at Camp Jewell in New Hartford, Camp Sequassen in Colebrook and Camp Courant in Farmington, training 150 leaders in Youth Mental Health First Aid and over 400 scout troop leaders in QPR and Narcan.
These trainings provide the tools individuals need to support kids and their families and to normalize conversations about mental wellbeing. FVHD also brought awareness to the CredibleMind platform which consists of online self-help tools for various mental health topics.
Check out the photos and testimonials below to get a look at some of the fun we had this summer.
Camp Sequassen, New Hartford
‘This year we had the pleasure of offering QPR training to all of the camp staff members and over one hundred Adult Scouters during the seven weeks of camp this summer. Offering this training provided great insight into the stigma of talking about suicide and provided valuable tools for staff and adults alike to use when talking to a youth who may be in crisis. Many staff and adults walked away from the training well informed with new skills to work with our youth as they navigate life. Many adult leaders and staff stated that they are glad we offered this training, and they feel more equipped with the proper knowledge and resources to help any youth that may be experiencing a mental health crisis. We received an overwhelming positive response from everyone as they said this training was so valuable that they would like to see this training reach more people. The biggest benefit that the staff and adults repeatedly told us was how they appreciated the trainer, Justine Ginsberg, thoughtful approach to the training. She did a phenomenal job presenting the material in an engaging and informative way. The camp is looking forward to continuing our relationship as a community partner with Justine and the entire Farmington Valley Health District Community Outreach Team.’ Michael Migleore, Camp Director.
‘Such an important area of awareness and impact that we can never have enough training in. Thank you for leading the conversation’. Camp Sequassen QPR Participant, August 2024
‘Very important training and should be MANDATORY for all scoutmasters! Thank you for making this available and helping us to feel more comfortable in asking the question to save a life.” Camp Sequassen QPR Participant, August 2024
Camp Jewell, Colebrook
‘Amazing course – don’t know why this hasn’t been offered before!’ Camp Jewell YMHFA participant 2024
‘Camp can be really hard for some kids – this has much better prepared me to identify when kids are struggling and know when and how to connect with them’ Thank you – everyone needs to take this course!’ Camp Jewell YMHFA participant 2024
Camp Courant, Farmington
‘As someone who has suicide in the family, thankyou for your professionalism and kindness in this topic.’ Camp Courant QPR participant 2024
‘Very real, approachable, excellent content and delivery. Empowering, I feel confident and equipped to ask the question. Thank you!!!’ Camp Courant QPR participant 2024
“We are so grateful to have the support of FVHD who assisted us in training our staff this year for QPR/Narcan Training ahead of our 130th season. The presenter was extremely knowledgeable and well received. Our entire staff walked away with a toolkit to use, not only throughout their camp experience, but in their daily lives as well. We are proud to have them as a community partner and look forward to working with them for many years to come. ” Tricia Rowold, Director of Donor, Volunteer & Rental Experiences