Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE March 24, 2018
A different kind of first aid training arrived in Shawville on Saturday, when a church played host to a mental health workshop on Saturday.
Around 30 people gathered at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall on March 24, for a day-long session on mental health first aid, to better understand how they can help those around them.
“In the course we talk about substance use … youth disorders, depression and suicide,” said Hilary Jocelyn, an experienced mental health first aid trainer who taught the course. “Then when we come back in two weeks we’re going to talk about anxiety and psychosis.”
Jocelyn said that the course is standard mental health training, originally developed in Australia with the idea of creating first aid training available like it is for physical ailments.

“This is organized by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, who devised this particular course that’s taught in Canada,” said Jocelyn.
The day of training was focused on general mental health, stigma, substance use, and how people can help those suffering. The course is taught with demonstrations, real-world examples from Jocelyn’s work and group exercises, all of which were excellent in keeping the group engaged in the material, evident by their enthusiasm to participate.
“We do case studies, I’m going to divide them into groups to work on a case, and they’re going to figure out how they can use the actions that are associated with mental health first aid,” continued Jocelyn, on some of her education methods. “There’s focusing on figuring out what’s going on, listening and reassuring the person, and then encouraging them to get help, then support from friends and family.”
Jocelyn has worked in the mental health field her whole life, starting in Glasgow with homeless women who had been barred from shelters due to their mental illness.
The event was organized by the Venerable Mavis Brownlee and parishioner Chris Judd, with funding provided by Pontiac MNA André Fortin. The event was free to attend, though everyone had to reserve their spot, as seats were limited.
“In my work as a priest, I see people falling through the cracks in the system,” said Brownlee, on why they organized it.
Brownlee said she had seen a previous workshop organized in a parish in Low, Que. and thought it was an excellent idea.
The workshop was run through Connexions Resource Centre, with part two of the training taking place at the same location on April 7. Everyone who completes the program will receive a certificate in recognition of their education on mental health first aid.