(From left) Julie Jesmer, project coordinator of the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program, and Grace Anne Dela Cruz and Elvira Gisog, both certified Mental Health First Aid instructors with UOG at a Mental Health First Aid Training at the Farmer Focus Conference in 2023 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. (Photo courtesy of University of Guam)
Farmers, farm workers, agricultural professionals, and anyone who works with farmers are invited to attend a free Mental Health First Aid Training being offered by the Farmer Focus program under University of Guam Land Grant. This free, full-day training will teach participants how to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
The training will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, in Room 125 of UOG’s Agriculture & Life Science Building.
Similar to physical first aid, mental health first aid prepares everyday individuals to provide immediate, hopefully life-saving assistance before professional medical help arrives. The training will be facilitated by KristiAnna Whitman, a licensed professional counselor and mental health educator with a doctorate in counselor education and supervision.
The course is designed to equip individuals with the tools and skills needed to provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or challenge. The curriculum emphasizes early intervention and awareness, helping participants build confidence in addressing mental health concerns in a safe, informed, and compassionate manner.
“This training provides important skills that can help save lives and strengthen support systems within our island community,” said Kuan-Ju Chen, an agricultural economist with the UOG Land Grant Extension Service and project director of UOG Farmer Focus.
Registration for the training is free and available to adults over the age of 18 at https://url.uog.edu/mhfa-training. All interested participants are encouraged to sign up early as seating is limited. For more information, please contact Cecilia Pangelinan at pangelinanc13962@triton.uog.edu.
This training is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture.
