As part of its effort to focus on Mental Health and Substance Abuse priorities, Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage launched free Mental Health First Aid programs to the community.  

This groundbreaking eight-hour training course gives people the tools to identify when someone might be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary. 

“Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect,” says Kari Due, community health improvement lead at Aspirus Divine Savior. “For friends and family members, it can be hard to know when and how to step in. Mental Health First Aid is designed to provide a framework to empower people to seek mental health services.”

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a five-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support. 

Hospital employees were also included in the training to foster discussion and interaction amongst the facility and various community agencies. 

Mental Health First Aid is just one effort focusing on mental health and substance abuse at Aspirus Divine Savior. They also partner with Prevention and Response of Columbia County to distribute medication lock boxes to patients. A medication drop box designed to ensure proper disposal of unwanted medications is also located at the hospital’s main entrance to provide access to anyone in the community.

Aspirus Divine Savior is also the largest referral source for the ED2 Recovery Program in the area and have representation on several local Substance Abuse and Mental Health coalitions to expand and coordinate efforts in the community.