INNISFAIL – Physical and mental health both play an essential role in a seniors’ well-being.
Many people know how to help a senior if they fall and hurt themselves physically but may not know how to assist if a senior is depressed or needs help with their mental health.
For the first time the town is presenting Mental Health First Aid Seniors, a free, two-day workshop at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre on June 7 and 8.
“The government of Alberta is providing Mental Health Commission of Canada training free of charge,” said Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development coordinator.
The training is being offered in collaboration with FCSS Innisfail and aims to strengthen the mental health system in the province.
The workshop is open to seniors and their spouses, family members, friends, health service providers, housing providers, seniors’ centre staff and volunteers who serve seniors.
“I believe it’s really going to support our organizations, agencies, our families and our caregivers with having that knowledge to support their loved ones to remain in their homes and have good mental health,” explained Bradbury, noting 25 people have registered for the training and the workshop is full.
“I advocated to get the training here because Innisfail has such a high senior population and we have a lot of people who work with older adults in the community,” she added.
“We have a lot of seniors that are isolated in their own homes as well.”
The training will help promote mental health in seniors and prevent mental illness and suicide in seniors where possible, Bradbury noted. She added the training will also allow people to intervene early when a problem arises.
Bradbury said a representative from Canadian Mental Health will present the workshop and provide participants with a certificate when it is completed.
It will also help family members, friends, seniors and caregivers identify symptoms of a mental health problem or crisis.
“This training is going to really (focus) on those skills where we can identify problems and be able to link seniors and their caregivers with the appropriate supports and resources,” said Bradbury.
“This is really timely for us. We’re really looking to see how we can support our older adults, support them in their residences and homes, and support them in living well.”
