Creating Change in our Community

Celebrating 4 Years of Chelsea Hospital’s Mental Health Awareness & Training Program

In October 2021, Chelsea Hospital launched the Mental Health Awareness and Training (MHAT) program. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the program works to increase the knowledge and awareness of mental health and decrease mental health stigma in the 5 Healthy Towns Region, which includes Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, and Stockbridge.

Since then, the program has trained nearly 1,000 people in one of the four mental health training courses offered by the program, including Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Youth MHFA, Teen MHFA, and Question, Persuade, Refer. The trainees have turned the knowledge and awareness they gained into action by providing support and/or resources to more than 500 individuals.

“Awareness and recognition of mental health challenges is powerful, but taking action by reaching out, seeking help, and offering support is where true change occurs,” said Sarah Wilczynski, the MHAT Coordinator. “This is what our trainees are doing, creating change in our communities.”

In addition to these training courses, the MHAT program has worked with local communities to launch five campaigns aimed at reducing mental health stigma.

FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS, INCREASING AWARENESS, AND REDUCING STIGMA (FIRE):

This campaign was created by Dexter High School students with the focus of strengthening interpersonal relationships and increasing community connection to improve mental health.

Developed by Manchester Jr./Sr. High School students, this campaign’s main goal is to increase the amount, variety, and consistency of information available about mental health in the community.

PROJECT STOCKBRIDGE:

Formed around the idea of increasing respect and understanding between individuals in the community, this campaign was designed by Stockbridge Jr./Sr. High School students and highlights the importance of how to start the conversation around mental health and what language to use.

TAKE IT SRSLY:

Initiated by Chelsea High School students, in partnership with the SRSLY Chelsea Coalition, this campaign aims to remind the community to take substance use and mental health seriously.

WHY I’M TRAINED:

This is a regional campaign that highlights people from our local communities who have participated in one of the MHAT trainings, and the reason why they got trained in the first place. The goal of this is to let the community know there are people who want to help and encourage others to get trained.

The MHAT program has also participated in a variety of wellness days, farmers markets, community events, and information nights over the last four years. All this work would not be possible without support from the program’s volunteer instructors and many local groups and organizations.

“When they say ‘it takes a village’ they aren’t lying” said Wilczynski. “It’s taken over 50 groups/organizations, nine volunteer instructors, and countless connections to get where we are today, and we’re not done yet.”

If you have questions about the MHAT program or are interested in hosting or participating in a training, please email Sarah at sarah.wilczynski@trinity-health.org.