Reading Hospital to Host Mental Health First Aid Training on April 11

On Thursday, April 11, a Mental Health First Aid Training will be held at the Reading Hospital, Education Rooms A & B, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The training is supported by a grant from Reading Hospital's Be Well Berks Grant program and is coordinated by Berks Counseling Center.

The free training is designed for police officers, hospital staff, first responders, educators, faith leaders, and any interested community members. The Mental Health First Aid Training, led by two certified instructors from Berks Counseling Center, will teach participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Participants will gain the essential skills to provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

"Statistics tell us that nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness," says Desha Dickson, Associate Vice President of Community Wellness at Reading Hospital. "Our partnership with Berks Counseling Center is a vital component of our Community Health Needs Assessment Implementation Plan to address the priority health concerns in our community."

Reading Hospital

Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.