Free Mental Health First Aid Training Offered at Shoreline Community College!
Shoreline Community College Counseling Center is offering free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for our campus community. MHFA is a research-supported international education program developed to teach adults how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. MHFA is a skills-based course that gives people the tools to assist someone who might be struggling with mental health or substance use challenges and connect them with appropriate support and resources. To date, 2.5 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA.
Just as CPR helps those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, MHFA prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through reaching out and offering appropriate support.
With support from the Counseling Center, this training (valued at $170.00/participant) is FREE to Shoreline Community College employees and students.
Training Details:
We are currently offering a blended training which includes:
2-hour, self-paced online training prior to the in-person training and
6.5 hour in-person training
This quarter’s in-person training is scheduled for: Friday, March 6th, 9:00am-3:30pm
The self-paced online training must be completed prior to attending the in-person training. You must complete the online and in-person training to become a certified Mental Health First Aider. MHFA certification lasts for 3 years.
Please email Gwyn Hoffman-Robinson at gehoffman@shoreline.edu to register and/or find out more information. Please note registration is limited and a waiting list will be started when capacity is reached. Once registered, details as far as room location, etc. will be shared.
Free Mental Health First Aid Training Offered at Shoreline Community College!
Shoreline Community College Counseling Center is offering free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for our campus community. MHFA is a research-supported international education program developed to teach adults how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. MHFA is a skills-based course that gives people the tools to assist someone who might be struggling with mental health or substance use challenges and connect them with appropriate support and resources. To date, 2.5 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA.
Just as CPR helps those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, MHFA prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through reaching out and offering appropriate support.
With support from the Counseling Center, this training (valued at $170.00/participant) is FREE to Shoreline Community College employees and students.
Training Details:
We are currently offering a blended training which includes:
2-hour, self-paced online training prior to the in-person training and
6.5 hour in-person training
This quarter’s in-person training is scheduled for: Monday, November 17th, 9:00am-3:30pm
The self-paced online training must be completed prior to attending the in-person training. You must complete the online and in-person training to become a certified Mental Health First Aider. MHFA certification lasts for 3 years.
Please email Gwyn Hoffman-Robinson at gehoffman@shoreline.eduto register and/or find out more information. Please note registration is limited and a waiting list will be started when capacity is reached. Once registered, details as far as room location, etc. will be shared.
The SCC Counseling Center provides free, short-term mental health, career, and student success counseling to students. Crisis counseling is available to students who feel unable to keep themselves safe if you walk in to the Counseling Center (FOSS 5251) during college business hours. The Counseling Center can also help you connect with mental health care off-campus. To schedule an appointment, walk in or call (206) 546-4594.
Non-Apparent but Very Much There: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the Accessibility Advisory Committee
The month of May celebrates mental health and brings awareness of mental health disabilities, the most common of disabilities. The 2025 theme created by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is “In every story, there’s strength.” This theme highlights uniqueness in all people who experience mental health barriers, and the strength within all. This is something to remember: sometimes folx may need to take it hour by hour, or minute by minute, but we should do our best to learn to respect people no matter their ability.
Mental Health Myths and Realities
There are serious misconceptions about mental health diagnoses that create fear, leading people to assume that people with mental health diagnoses are dangerous or violent, largely due to lack of education and because mental illness is primarily non-apparent. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older — about 1 in 4 adults — suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” It is important to recognize that while mental health disorders such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Dissociative disorders, and other mental health disabilities can significantly affect those diagnosed and those around them, it does not automatically mean that those individuals are dangerous or that they cannot lead typical lives. In most cases, individuals who live with mental illness can succeed and flourish in higher education, have careers, and raise families, if they choose those paths in life.
Accommodating Mental Health Conditions
While mental illness may not be a readily apparent disability, the symptoms are very real and can significantly impact an individual’s ability to perform some daily functions, including work. The Job Accommodation Network has several suggestions for potential workplace accommodations in its About Mental Health Conditions sheet online. Some examples include the following:
Similarly, many students with mental health disabilities may seek academic accommodations by contacting Student Accessibility Services. Some common accommodations for students with mental health barriers may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Extended testing time
Alternatives to activating materials
Use of an assistance animal
Disability-related absences
Self-Care
Maintaining mental well-being is a proactive and ongoing process. Here are some strategies to help navigate life’s stressors and strengthen your mental health:
1. Prioritize Physical Health
Exercise: Even light physical activity, like a 30-minute walk, can boost your mood and reduce anxiety.
Nutrition: Eat balanced meals, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar.
Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night to restore energy and improve mental clarity.
2. Connect with Others
Build relationships: Maintain and nurture friendships; don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with new people.
Spend quality time: Meaningful interactions with loved ones can combat loneliness and increase feelings of support.
3. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation
Mindfulness: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help you stay grounded in the present moment.
Relaxation: Explore methods like guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation to manage stress.
Hobbies: Engage in creative or leisure activities that bring joy and a sense of purpose.
4. Set Boundaries and Manage Stress
Say no when needed: Avoid overcommitting to preserve your energy.
Delegate: Share responsibilities to lighten your mental load when possible.
Take breaks: Step away regularly to prevent burnout.
Limit screen time: Excessive use of social media can worsen anxiety or depression.
Spend time in nature: Outdoor time has been shown to reduce stress and enhance mood.
Resources
If you are experiencing mental health distress, we encourage you to seek professional help. On campus, students can visit the Counseling Center in the FOSS building, Room 5251, or call 206-546-4594 to meet with a counselor or get help locating a mental health professional outside of the college. Employees are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455 or contact your general health practitioner.
For 24/7 emergency counseling, referral, or assistance please call:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 800-273-8255
King County: Crisis Connections (Crisis Line), 866-427-4747
Snohomish County: Volunteers of America Care Crisis Response Services (Crisis Line), 800-584-3578
Please submit feedback about the information that the Accessibility Advisory Committee shares, or any questions that you have, to the Chair of the Committee, Miranda Levy, via email at mlevy@shoreline.edu so that the committee can review together and serve the campus community better.
This month the Accessibility Advisory Committee invites our campus community to broaden their understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to help create an accepting and inclusive environment for individuals with autism. We also encourage everyone to reflect on how we, as a community, can address the challenges that the autism community faces.
As indicated in the name, autism exists on a spectrum, meaning that each person who is on this spectrum has unique challenges and strengths. When autism intersects with other identities, additional challenges and barriers can arise. Autism manifests uniquely across different gender identities, leading to disparities in diagnosis, support, and societal understanding.
Societal expectations shape how autistic individuals express unique traits. Women and gender-diverse individuals with autism commonly report engaging in intrapersonal strategies such as masking behaviors, mimicking socially accepted gender norms, and adopting social scripts to navigate social interactions. This process, known as camouflaging (commonly known as masking), helps the individual blend in but can also delay recognition and support of their autism. While this strategy may help individuals navigate social situations, it often comes at a significant psychological cost. Studies link camouflaging to increased mental health challenges, including heightened anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Because traditional diagnostic assessments rely heavily on observable behaviors, they may fail to identify individuals who have learned to mask their autistic traits effectively. Furthermore, co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or other neurodevelopmental disorders can obscure an autism diagnosis, leading to misidentification and inadequate support.
The intersectionality of autism and race can create additional barriers to success. Most current autism research is gathered from white, economically advantaged communities. This means that when people of color present differently, early signs of autism may not be recognized until much later in life. Statistics show that white children are 19% more likely than Black children and 65% more likely than Hispanic children to be diagnosed at an early age.
Late diagnosis of autism creates barriers that impact personal acceptance and robs individuals of timely interventions, tailored educational approaches, and access to support services—all of which contribute to better outcomes for autistic individuals.
How to Support an Autistic Peers
Here are some ways to be supportive:
Practice Clear Communication
Be Mindful of Sensory Sensitivities
Respect Different Social Styles
Provide Flexible Work Arrangements
Foster an Inclusive Environment
Inclusion benefits everyone and when autistic individuals feel supported, they can fully utilize their strengths, such as attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving skills. A culture of awareness and acceptance leads to better collaboration and a more positive environment for all. Awareness is the first step toward acceptance and meaningful inclusion, helping to build a culture where everyone can thrive.
Want to learn more? Visit the websites of these organizations for more information about autism:
Join us for the second of two lectures presented by Ana Celis:
Natural & Cultural Heritage of the Yucatan Peninsula
In a highly interconnected world, it is important to consider the history and values of the local communities where we travel. This lecture will present a grassroots approach to preserving the world’s largest underwater cave systems and its connections with the natural and cultural heritage of the Yucatán Península (México).
Ana Celis holds a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology from Universidad Veracruzana, and a master’s degree in Coastal Oceanography from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México.
As a fellow at the Smithsonian in Panama, Ana developed a strong sense of commitment to create positive social impacts through her profession. She has worked for nonprofits, government agencies and the private sector in the areas of subterranean ecosystem conservation, cave archaeology and groundwater quality monitoring. Ana currently serves as director and founder of Karst Lab México. She provides consultancy services for ecosystems conservation and sustainable development in indigenous and urban-sprawl communities. She collaborates with Western Kentucky University and Mammoth Cave National Park to strengthen U.S.-México partnerships in Cave and Karst Science.
Ana is also a Professor at Universidad del Caribe, working to reduce the gender gap in STEM for marine science.
As a Humphrey Fellow at UC Davis for the 2024-25 academic year, Ana is broadening her network and knowledge with U.S. partners about coastal and groundwater resource management, and best practices to reduce gender gaps in science.
Join us for the first of two lectures presented by Ana Celis:
Environmental Studies of Caves & Karst Terrains
Subterranean ecosystems, such as caves, cover only 19% of the terrestrial surface and therefore their ecological role is overlooked. This lecture will highlight the environmental and scientific values of cave and karst ecosystems and their relevance in global conservation discussions
DATE: Monday, 3/3/2025
TIME: 1:30 – 2:25pm
PLACE: PUB Quiet Dining Room
About Ana K. Celis
Ana Celis holds a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology from Universidad Veracruzana, and a master’s degree in Coastal Oceanography from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México.
As a fellow at the Smithsonian in Panama, Ana developed a strong sense of commitment to create positive social impacts through her profession. She has worked for nonprofits, government agencies and the private sector in the areas of subterranean ecosystem conservation, cave archaeology and groundwater quality monitoring. Ana currently serves as director and founder of Karst Lab México. She provides consultancy services for ecosystems conservation and sustainable development in indigenous and urban-sprawl communities. She collaborates with Western Kentucky University and Mammoth Cave National Park to strengthen U.S.-México partnerships in Cave and Karst Science.
Ana is also a Professor at Universidad del Caribe, working to reduce the gender gap in STEM for marine science.
As a Humphrey Fellow at UC Davis for the 2024-25 academic year, Ana is broadening her network and knowledge with U.S. partners about coastal and groundwater resource management, and best practices to reduce gender gaps in science.
