A second round of Mental Health First Aid Certification is being on Saturdays, February 28 and March 7. Participants must attend both 8:30 am to 12:30 pm sessions at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street.

The class is free to people who live and work in Newtown with support provided by The Newtown/Sandy Hook Community Foundation. It is being presented by Northwestern Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC).

The second session of classes has been added, Northwestern CT AHEC Executive Director Tricia Harrity told The Newtown Bee this week, because an initial class being offered January 10 and 17 in Newtown is filled.

Mental Health First Aid teaches non-mental health professionals how to help someone who is experiencing a mental health illness or challenge. The eight-hour certification course features the ALGEE five-step action plan, an overview of local mental health resources and a resource manual.

The program is open to anyone 18 years and older, who wants to learn how to help a person who is experiencing a mental health illness or challenge and wants to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.

Classes will be conducted in the lower level conference room of Town Hall South.

To register or for additional informaiton, call Ms Harrity at 203-758-1110,  extension 11.