Illinois State University’s Central Illinois Area Health Education Center is recruiting for a Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps Member to teach Mental Health First Aid in 2020. The Member will teach others how to support individuals who are experiencing a mental health challenge or illness. One in five adults has a diagnosed mental illness. They are our family, friends and neighbors.

The AmeriCorps Member also will support the McLean County Health Department that leads the McLean County Mental Health First Aid Collaborative comprising the AHEC, Health Department, and other health and human service organizations. With the help of AmeriCorps Members, the MHFA Collaborative has certified over 2,000 MHFAiders since 2014.

The Healthy Minds Alliance, developed through Connecticut-based Health 360 in collaboration with the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Corporation for National and Community Service, addresses the important issue of improving mental health outcomes in our nation.  AmeriCorps members are trained as MHFA instructors and provide MHFA certification classes in their communities for a cross-section of the population including teachers, community health workers, college students, veterans, nurses, public safety workers, etc.

“AmeriCorps is an indispensable resource to help meet critical mental health challenges facing our communities and nation,” said Tricia Harrity, executive director of Health360.  “We’re thrilled to be working with a diverse group of 43 AmeriCorps host site organizations including Illinois State University’s Area Health Education Center who provides everything the Member needs for a successful service year. AmeriCorps members and their respective host sites will meet pressing local mental health needs as they develop civic and leadership skills that last a lifetime.”

“With the AmeriCorps member, we provide the 8-hour MHFA and Youth MHFA certification courses in our 16-county region including McLean County,” said Sharon Mills, Central Illinois AHEC director. “These courses raise awareness of the signs and symptoms someone may be in crisis or developing a mental illness, provide a plan to respond when appropriate, and share health care resources and information. This helps to reduce stigma related to mental illness and encourages hope for recovery.”

The AmeriCorps Member will complete a 10-month commitment beginning in 2020. The position is 40 hours per week totaling 1700 service hours. Members receive a $13,992 stipend for their service, paid biweekly, and a $6,095 Education Award upon completion of the service commitment. A Bachelor’s Degree is required. To apply for this position, individuals can complete the AmeriCorps Member Application by January 1, 2020 at https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=52020 and send a resume to Sharon Mills, Central Illinois AHEC, at smmills@ilstu.edu.

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