EVERETT — Diana Beal ran out of rooms in her house.
She had been a mother, a foster mother and an adoptive mother.
There was still so much need.
Beal, 51, of Everett, joined Compass Health and started recruiting others to become foster parents. That led to another role coordinating the nonprofit’s trainings for the public.
Compass Health provides services in health and mental health in five counties, with headquarters in Everett. Classes empower people to support others, according to a prepared statement.
One of the programs is “Youth Mental Health First Aid,” which teaches skills for responding when a young person is in mental health crisis. That could include someone experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Nearly 600 people have taken the class through Compass Health since it started in 2013. More slots are on tap.
The lessons have been useful in Beal’s own experiences raising and working with children, she said, as well as the volunteering she does at New Life Church.
She recommends the class to anyone who spends time around young people. She gave examples including parents, grandparents, youth pastors, teachers and librarians.
Young people might find themselves in crisis for many reasons, but they share common outward symptoms, Beal said. Sometimes, the problem is part of the universal experience of growing up. Other times, there might be more serious issues. Just like with CPR, first aid isn’t a diagnosis but a place to start when someone is in immediate need.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
Learn more
Compass Health offers a number of classes for the public, including Youth Mental Health First Aid. The class is $25. The next one is June 25. The nonprofit also offers the classes for companies and other organizations, as well as free one-hour on-site visits to introduce the materials. Classes are available for adult mental health first aid as well.
For more information, go to www.compasshealth.org/mentalhealthfirstaid, email compasstraining@compassh.org or call 425-349-8588.
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