We usually think of mental health work as happening at counseling center. But in a recent survey, Presence Health learned people with urgent mental health needs were showing up at all kinds of places: libraries, city offices, schools.

Staff at those places didn’t know what to do. And in the survey, they asked for trainings. In response, Presence Health System is partnering with the City of Chicago to teach mental health first aid. 

In the training people learn to recognize symptoms and pose questions. Presence Health plans to train about 25 people a month.