As a Caring Community, Beth Israel is committed to supporting our members with mental illness and their families and friends.

This September, we are pleased to offer at Beth Israel a two-session Mental Health First Aid class. This class will be held on two consecutive Sundays, September 18 and 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is no cost for Beth Israel members.

Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour course (divided into two four-hour sessions) that teaches us how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives us the skills we need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. The course is facilitated by Mental Health America of San Diego County.

Open to all Beth Israel members, the Mental Health First Aid class is especially appropriate for families and friends of those with a mental illness, parents, teachers, and employers. It is also excellent preparation if you are interested in volunteering with Caring Community to visit members living with mental illness or their families.

To register, or for additional information, please email Liz Levine, Director of Caring Community, at llevine@cbisd.org, or call 858-900-2525. Minimum registration to hold the class is 10 participants, and registration will be capped at 20. Priority will be given to Beth Israel members until September 1.  Please register as soon as possible, and no later than September 12.