MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING Lynn Wood, an Aging Services Coordinator with Mental Health America of the MidSouth, has spent the last 10 years working with senior citizens and their families who are dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Recently, Lynn taught a class on the importance of mental health as part of a national initiative. One in five Americans has a mental illness, and the pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety, but many are reluctant to seek help or don’t know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.
What Will it Cost to Get the Care You Need? Without a plan, you will end up paying more than necessary. Often much more. Long-term illness raises questions that estate plans can’t answer. That’s why you need more than an estate planning attorney.
What sets the firm apart?
Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. The goal of the course is to teach attendees tools to identify, understand and respond to someone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge, and connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary. This is especially important in elder care, and her goal is to continue to help break the stigma that mental health has and teach as many people as possible on how to recognize the many facets of mental health and how to seek help.
n 30 years experience helping families plan for the legal and financial realities of aging and long-term illness (saving them millions in the process) n Two Certified Elder Law Attorneys, “the gold star standard” for elder law and special needs practitioners n Elder Care Coordinators who offer guidance during the long-term care journey n Public Benefits Specialists who assist with TennCare, Medicare, and Veteran’s Benefits
Call us to schedule your consult. Life Care Planning | Elder Law Estate Planning | Care Coordination
(615) 824-2571 www.tn-elderlaw.com
201 Serving Walton Ferry RoadTennessee PO Box 364 Middle Hendersonville, TN 37077-0364
Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law is a recognized US News Best Law Firm for 2021 rankings.
70 • MAY 2021 | DESTINATION DOWNTOWN
The National Council for Behavioral Health was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the United States. To learn more about Mental Health First Aid USA, visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org
