The Prevention Coalition of Greater Prince William

Don’t miss an opportunity to talk about mental health and wellness with your friends, loved ones, and others. Conversations about mental health don’t have to be awkward. Learn how to respond when someone tells you they’re not okay by participating in a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. 

A Mental Health First Aid training covers:

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health,
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges,
• How to interact with a person in crisis,
• How to connect a person with help, and
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use, and self-care.

The following Mental Health First Aid courses are offered:

• Mental Health First Aid (for adults who interact with other adults)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (for adults who live with or care for youth).

Questions? Email Wendy Hunt at whunt@pwcgov.org or CSBHWteam@pwcgov.org

Residents of all ages are encouraged to take their first steps on their wellness journey by accepting this invitation to identify and strengthen your 5 bridges to wellness: BOND, FUEL, MOVE, REST, and GIVE. 

In addition to these workshops, residents of Prince William County can use the exclusive coupon code PWC-CLIENT for a 100% discount when booking services through the 5 Bridges site after attending a 5 Bridges wellness workshop.

Questions? Email CSBHWteam@pwcgov.org

Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on future development, lifelong health, and opportunity. Learning more about Adverse Childhood Experiences, referred to as ACEs, is important to not only prevent this toxic stress from occurring within our community but also to better support individuals who experienced trauma in childhood. Understanding ACEs is a training to recognize Adverse Childhood Experiences and their impact on our health and wellbeing.

What are ACEs? Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic childhood events, such as abuse and neglect, parental divorce, domestic violence, and parental mental illness, among others. Experiencing an ACE can increase the odds of developing serious adult health issues like depression, cancer, liver disease and heart disease. ACEs can also make people more prone to suicide, substance abuse, poor work performance and a host of other negative outcomes. A trauma-informed perspective and approach to care can alleviate the negative impacts brought on by ACEs and significantly improve health outcomes.

By taking an ACEs training, participants will be able to expand their knowledge of:

1. The importance of identifying and addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
2. The impact of ACEs’ on the brain and behavior
3. Why my community needs to get organized and mobilized to identify/address ACEs
4. Developing a trauma-informed approach to care including self-care
5. The role of ACEs in my life

Questions? Contact Heather Martinsen at hmartinsen@pwcgov.org or CSBHWteam@pwcgov.org