Over the past nine months, 231 court employees, judges, and work group members have participated in nine training sessions on Mental Health First Aid throughout the state. The court partnered with FirstLink of Fargo to provide this training. As a free, confidential service, FirstLink offers listening and support, referrals to resources/help, and crisis intervention 24 hours a day. It also answers the 211 Information & Referral Helpline and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for North Dakota.
The Mental Health First Aid training is designed to teach participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. It instructs attendees on how to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care. The comprehensive day-long program covers common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use; interaction strategies with a person in crisis; as well as content on trauma, addiction, and self-care.
The Workgroup responsible for this initiative is chaired by Judge Brad Cruff from the Southeast Judicial District. Several activities were conducted during these sessions including brainstorming activities on active listening led by Judge Brad Cruff; group exercises with Justice Doug Bahr involving Unit 3 judges and staff; recovery projects by Unit 2 personnel; recovery poster sharing by staff from Unit 4; and training gatherings in Grand Forks for Unit 1 personnel.