August 10, 2017 — A local agency is offering free professional development opportunities that look great on a resume and could help save lives.

"When I screen resumes, I am impressed by the candidates who better themselves through certification programs, especially those opportunities that make them stronger professionals and more informed community members," says Patrice McKinney, Manager of Human Resources and Special Projects for the .

McKinney says that her agency meets its own goals of educating the public on mental health needs by also meeting the goals of local job seekers. LCBMH provides free trainings on mental health topics that can bolster any resume or LinkedIn profile.

Upcoming free trainings are always listed online at lcbmh.eventbrite.com.

Many of the trainings teach participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

Currently, LCBMH has a full roster of its most popular trainings available, including:

Youth Mental Health First Aid
August 16 and 17, 2017
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Best suited for: Lorain County adults who regularly have contact with young people ages 12 to 18, like teachers, coaches, social workers, faith leaders, or parents.

A-S-I-S-T
August 17 and 18, 2017, and November 2 and 3
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Best suited for: any Lorain County adult.

Adult Mental Health First Aid
September 19 and 20, 2017
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Best suited for: any Lorain County adult.

"Our trainings are especially good for people in or entering health professions," says Dr. Kathleen Kern, LCBMH Executive Director. "Many of the fastest growing occupations are in healthcare support fields, and do not require an advanced degree. Trainings like ours can give that extra boost to the résumé of a person seeking a position as a Home Health Aide, for example."

Most trainings are free, require no prior knowledge of health topics, and are open to adults who live or work in Lorain County. Participants must attend the full training (usually two full days or two mornings) to receive certification.

Learn more and register online at lcbmh.eventbrite.com, or visit the Board's website at lcbmh.org.