Sep 10, 2024

A 2024-25 SBU Keenan Grant has enabled faculty from the DePerro School of Health Professions to again provide free mental health first aid certification courses to the community.

Dr. Darla Kent, assistant professor and program director for Occupational Therapy, and Dr. Connie Perkins, founding director of Nursing, hosted the first free MHFA course on Aug. 7.

The SBU community now has six additional faculty and staff members across campus who are MHFA certified. The goal is to prepare and train as many individuals as possible to recognize a mental health challenge or crisis, and to provide the tools to support individuals and connect them with resources they may need. 

The following faculty and staff members have become MHFA certified: Lea Shaffer, Residence Life; Nikki Charsley, LPN, Center for Student Wellbeing; Dr. Johanna Schwingel, associate professor of Biology; Huixin (Selena) Ou, Business Office; Dr. Audrey Hager, assistant professor of Psychology; and Nick Kicior, adjunct instructor of Counselor Education. 

For those who want to become MHFA certified, Kent and Perkins will host another free course on Saturday, Sept. 28, on campus. Contact them for more details or watch for information on the Notice Board. All SBU faculty, staff and students are welcome to participate.