Postpartum Progress is thrilled to announce our newest program: the Mental Health First Aid Training Warrior Mom Scholarship!

Our Warrior Mom volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. We hear, time and time again, that after sharing stories about your personal experiences with PPD and related illnesses, women in your communities turn to you as sources of support. You are often faced with questions about diagnoses and treatments. You are asked to listen to the stories of new moms who are struggling, and to take on roles as mentors and friends. You are asked for help finding providers. For years, you’ve been telling us you’re concerned about knowing the best way to respond to those who need help.

Well, we’ve heard you!

We are so pleased to tell you that we’ve partnered with the National Council for Behavioral Health and will be providing scholarships for Mental Health First Aid Training to 100 Warrior Mom volunteers and Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification to 5 Warrior Mom volunteers from across the United States.

The partnership will allow Postpartum Progress to provide scholarships for the National Council’s Mental Health First Aid Training that will lead to the total training of 400 maternal mental health peer supporters between now and the end of 2016. It also will form the foundation for future evidence-based trainings and peer-to-peer supporter education for Postpartum Progress volunteers. This is the first national effort to bring Mental Health First Aid training specifically to the peer support community of survivors of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders across the US.

What is Mental Health First Aid Training?

Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that can help individuals across the community to understand mental illnesses, support timely intervention and save lives. The program is an 8-hour class developed by the National Council for Behavioral Health to teach participants how to help someone who is experiencing an ongoing mental health problem or crisis. Participants will learn signs of addiction and mental illness, the impact of mental and substance abuse disorders, a 5-step action plan to assess a situation and help, and local resources they can provide to women who may need further assistance. Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized, evidence-based program.

I’m already looking for how I can participate. How can I apply?

• Click Here to read more about the scholarships and apply online.  Applications must be in no later than 5pm EST on October 2nd, 2015.   No late entries will be accepted.
• Participants will be announced on October 12^th, 2015, with course selection and registration to begin October 19^th, 2015.

Am I eligible to participate?

• Scholarships are open PMAD survivors, advocates, and members of the Postpartum Progress community.
• Participation in Climb Out of the Darkness® or the Warrior Mom™ Conference is not required but will factor into participant selection.
• Though we love our international Warrior Moms (and we do!), we are only able to offer scholarships for trainings in the US for now.

Questions?  Email Susan at education@postpartumprogress.org

The National Council for Behavioral Health is the unifying voice of America’s community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with 2,300 member organizations, it serves more than eight million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. The organization is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and have trained 450,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities. To learn more about the National Council, visit www.TheNationalCouncil.org.