Cochrane Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) is launching a series of online workshops to provide training resources to informal mental health supporters throughout the community.

Community Liason Programmer with FCSS, Mae Kroeis explains that the aim of the Community Helpers Program is to equip peers with the right tools to support someone who is struggling.

"The community helpers program is ultimately designed to help prevent suicide and promote good mental health in youth and young adults ages 12 to 13," explains Kroeis. "It does that by teaching anybody helping skills to help a young person or young adults or anyone really -- to have good mental health and how to support them if they're struggling with their mental health."

While the program was initially designed to specifically help younger people, Kroesis says the skills and tools are valuable and can be applied to any age group.

"We teach them about community resources that exist in town; when to access those and when it's appropriate to refer the person you're helping to those professional resources,"  explains Kroeis. "Another really important part of the program is teaching helpers how to take care of themselves because we know that they can't pour from an empty cup."

According to Kroeis it’s  common for people to confide in a friend, family member or neighbour before seeking professional help. 

"Young people especially are going to their friends and to those familiar faces when they're struggling," explains Kroeis. "So why not make sure that the people they're talking to have those skills to help, rather than crossing our fingers and hoping they're brave enough to go talk to a counsellor."

Participants have the option to register for three one-hour workshops from 12 - 1 p.m on March 1 - 3 or a three-hour workshop on March 17. The sessions are open for community members 18 and over and are free of charge. All participants will also receive a certificate of completion from Alberta Health Services.