This school year, Westminster Public Schools is expanding a resource to support staff: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. Offered as part of the district's broader Less Stress with WPS initiative, MHFA is a nationally recognized, early-intervention public education program that teaches adults how to assist with mental health challenges.

 “Mental Health First Aid provides our staff with practical tools and greater confidence to recognize when someone may be facing a mental health challenge, respond with empathy, and connect them with support,” says Melisa Sandoval, Ph.D. Director of Wellness at WPS.

Staff who complete the eight-hour course develop mental health literacy and the confidence to respond in both crisis and non-crisis situations. So far, WPS has certified over 270 Mental Health First Aiders, from teachers and administrators to members of the Board of Education.

The district is also working to make sure this support reaches families, not just staff. Samantha Trevizo, WPS's district translator, recently became certified as a Mental Health First Aid trainer so she can lead trainings in Spanish, a step the district sees as essential to reaching its Latino families. “Talking about mental health is not a sign of weakness but of courage,” states Trevizo. “Breaking the stigma starts when we stop judging, start listening, and understand that asking for help is also a way of caring for ourselves.” 

In many Latino communities, cultural messages like "échale ganas" or "los problemas se quedan en casa" (keep problems at home), however well-intentioned, can make it harder for someone to speak up. Having a trainer who can teach MHFA in Spanish, in a culturally responsive way, helps close that gap and lets more families access the same tools WPS staff are learning.

“Samantha has been a tremendous asset to our Mental Health First Aid program," said Sandoval. "She is certified to teach both Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid in two languages, and her commitment to reaching our community is remarkable.”

What makes the MFHA training effective is that it teaches the average person how to listen without judgment, offer reassurance, and how to connect someone (a colleague, a student, a family member) with the right professional support. Staff who have gone through the training say it's made a real difference. "I learned so much about risk factors for mental health crises,” shared one employee. “I think we all want to see a change in the world, and what better way than to start in this area where it's most important." 

Together, these efforts reflect a district-wide commitment to breaking the stigma around mental health — and making sure support is never far away.

If you are interested in becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid, please reach out to msandoval@wps.org.