Hispanic Services Council assisted in shaping the Spanish-language course
Tampa, Fla. (June 24, 2021) – The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay is now offering its “Mental Health First Aid” nationally certified training course in Spanish. Three Spanish-speaking instructors will begin to offer classes on identifying, understanding and responding to signs of addictions and mental illness in their friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
One in five American adults experience a mental health challenge within any given year. Fewer Latino adults receive mental health treatment each year when compared to the U.S. average, due in part to disparities in access to care and quality of care.
“By providing classes in Spanish, we’re adding to local mental health resources,” said Marlene Spalten, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. “With additional resources, we can begin to increase access to mental health care for people in our community.”
The Hispanic Services Council’s staff participated in pilot classes for Mental Health First Aid. Hispanic Services Council also advised the Community Foundation on ways to increase and improve cultural competency and relevance for the region’s Latino community.
“Working with the Community Foundation on Mental Health First Aid was a natural fit,” said Maria Pinzon, Executive Director of Hispanic Services Council. “Ensuring that timely and meaningful mental health care is received by those who need it is essential to help individuals reach their full potential as educated, healthy, prosperous and engaged members of the community.”
The Community Foundation has partnered with Humana Foundation, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Love IV Lawrence and St. Petersburg College on Mental Health First Aid. Love IV Lawrence is a Community Foundation-hosted fund that supports organizations making positive changes around mental health.
Its goal is to train 5,000 Tampa Bay residents in Mental Health First Aid by 2023. The first classes started in September 2020, and hundreds of people have already been trained by instructors on how to help others who are experiencing a mental health challenge.
The fully virtual 8-hour course has a $125 registration fee. The registration fees are waived for people who work in nonprofit organizations, education institutions, faith communities and public service organizations.
In addition, private trainings in Mental Health First Aid are available for groups with 10 or more people. Nonprofit organizations, medical and legal practices, faith-based organizations, schools and businesses can benefit from scheduling a private group session on Mental Health First Aid.
Learn more about Mental Health First Aid on the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay’s website: https://cftampabay.org/mentalhealth/.
Contact Yvonne Williams at 727-302-6436 or Williams.Yvonne@spcollege.edu to schedule a Mental Health First Aid class taught in Spanish and/or a private group training for 10 to 30 people.
About the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Founded in 1990, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay connects donors, nonprofits, community and business leaders, professional advisors, volunteers and residents to make the maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. For 30 years, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to making giving easy and meaningful for donors as a way to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build a better, more vibrant community. Since its inception, its donors have enabled the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to award nearly $280 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the country. Learn more at CFTampaBay.org.
