Goodwill Industries of Arkansas receives nearly $500,000 grant to provide mental health training focused on youth

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Goodwill Industries of Arkansas received a grant of nearly half a million dollars to put a focus on mental health in the younger community.

Officials with Goodwill announced that the organization received $499,950 from the Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to expand training at The Academy at Goodwill.

The Academy at Goodwill is offering free training in courses focused on signs and symptoms in adults and for those who work with adolescents ages 12-18. Registration for Mental Health First Aid for Adults and Youth Mental Health First Aid is open, and classes will begin Sept. 10.

Training in Teen Mental Health First Aid will be available at a later date. Courses will teach teenagers ages 14-18 how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health issues and substance use among their peers.

Sr. Vice President and Chief Mission Officer Edie Stewart said the grant will better prepare individuals to respond to mental health crises in the state.

“We are excited to receive this grant,” Stewart said. “The grant will allow our Academy to continue to expand our training and prepare even more first responders, teachers and other individuals to become better equipped to tackle the critical challenge of mental health well-being in our state.”

To register for the Mental Health First Aid for Adults and Youth Mental Health First Aid, visit GoodwillAR.org .

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