Twenty-five pastors from the Puerto Rico East District participated in the Mental Health First Aid event held on January 20, 2018.
It was an 8-hour training designed to prepare people with no previous psychology or mental health education to detect mental health issues and suicide warning signs as well as how to give first aid. It is the same training used in the USA for teachers, police officers and fire fighters. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries covered the cost of the training as well as the meals during the event. The training included a book with the same information.
The program is a useful tool for pastoral ministry so that pastors are able to help people who suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, drug addictions, and alcoholism in an integrated way. It is especially useful in learning to detect when someone is at risk of suicide and how to provide necessary help.
Pray for God’s blessing on this group of pastors and that their ministry would be a great blessings in the communities where God has allowed them to serve.
Source: Paquita Bido Balbuena, Central Area Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Mesoamerica Region
