Teaching Coloradans How To Help In A Mental Crisis

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Photo: Mental Health First Aid Course
Angela MacDonald teaches a mental health at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado. MacDonald hopes to train 1,000 people in Colorado in mental health first aid through the Centura Health hospital network.

Chances are you'd respond if someone collapsed in front of you, at least with a 911 call. But what if that same person had a crisis of the mind? Would you know what to do? Mental health first aid classes train lay people how and why to respond. Earlier this week, the National Council for Behavioral Health announced a goal of training one million people through classes.

Centura Health hopes to help, teaching 1,000 Coloradans this way. Angela MacDonald leads the effort for the hospital network. She spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner.