IOL Family Resource Center Caseworker and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Case Coordinator Patricia Graham has been recognized as one of the top 100 MHFA instructors in the country. Graham was notified of the honor in a handwritten note from Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health.
“It is my honor to recognize you and to thank you,” Rosenberg wrote. “This year, we reached an incredible milestone: one million Mental Health First Aiders trained. That impressive number reflects your dedication to improving the lives of youth and adults affected by mental illnesses and addictions.”
Graham couldn’t quite believe the recognition.
“It took a while to let it sink in and realize this is real,” Graham said. “I was surprised to receive a handwritten note from the national council. There are more than 100,000 trainers across the country, so to be within the top 100 is a big deal.”
She estimates she has conducted over 100 trainings since 2013, reaching more than 500 people.
“Often people don’t know what to do in a mental health crisis because they don’t know what to say. Changing the culture when someone has an addiction problem or mental illness, we encourage people to congregate rather than disappear.”
The National Council has created a Top Instructor Club to promote the achievements of high performing instructors. In the coming months, Graham will be featured on the web and in the organization’s publications as a prominent member of this elite group.