Henderson Bay Students learn Mental Health First Aid

Henderson Bay High School students were given the opportunity to learn how to help their peers dealing with mental health challenges thanks to PSD's partnership with Communities In Schools and the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.

The Mental Health First Aid course was given to students in 10th through 12th grade for two weeks in March. The class teaches mental health support for friends, how to help during a substance use overdose, and resources/tools to use in times when someone they know is in crisis.

HBHS students were taught by Counselor Annie Schuster and Communities In Schools Program Director Laurel Shultz. Shultz, a member of the Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Suicide Prevention Coalition, said the class was provided thanks to a grant from the TPCHD.

"We do mental health training for adults who work with youths, and this class is the next step. To bring the training to the teens," Shultz said.

The course is three, 90-minute classes that ends with students becoming a certified mental health first aider.

"It is very comprehensive. It's about anything that can be a crisis, or a mental health challenge," Shultz said. "We give them the resources, the tools, and we focus on them prioritizing their own safety and mental health."

Student Chiarra B. enjoyed the class, and said she is glad to have the knowledge necessary to help her friends if a need arises.

"A lot of my friends are in AP classes and have a lot of stress on their plates," Chiarra said. "So I figured, if I take this training it could help them in some way."

Thank you to our community partners for bringing this opportunity to PSD students!

Henderson Bay High School Counselor Annie Schuster teaches students about what to do if someone they know is suffering a substance use overdose during a Mental Health First Aid course.

March 24, 2024

Curriculum provided by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department teaches students how to interact with their peers suffering from mental health issues.

March 24, 2023

Communities In Schools Peninsula Program Director Laurel Shultz teaches a class at Henderson Bay High School on Mental Health First Aid.

March 24, 2023

A booklet showing what to do if someone is overdosing lays open on a student's table.

March 24, 2023