We would like to thank you and your staff for taking the time to write the article on the Mental Health
First Aid training that was held on Tuesday, March 25th at the Bowling Green Municipal Court. We
appreciate your staff, Tara Keller for taking the time out of her day to come and interview us. It is
encouraging to have awareness raised for this program that is supported by the Wood County Alcohol, Drug
Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.
Mental Health First Aid emphasizes the importance of respecting the individual first and works to reduce
the stigma and negative attitude towards individuals with a mental illness. Through this course we try
to break the common misconception between violent behavior and mental illness. Mental Health First Aid
was intended to increase community safety and awareness of mental illness. Part of the stigma reduction
is educating the community that the percentage of individuals that are violent with a diagnosed mental
illness is remarkably low.
In fact, those with a diagnosed mental illness are more likely to be victims of violent crimes than to be
the perpetrator. Mental Health First Aid has also shown to improve the mental health in individuals that
take the course.
We encourage you, and your readers to contact the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services
Board, Jessica Schmitt at the National Alliance on Mental Illness Wood County or Laura Selders at Family
Service Counseling Center for more details or to sign up for the program. We are grateful for the
support that the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board provides to bring
this program to the Wood County community.
Jessica Schmitt, Executive Director, NAMI Wood County
Laura Selders, Criminal Justice Liaison, Family Service Counseling Center