POCAHONTAS, Ark. – Faculty and staff at Black River Technical College (BRTC) are now better equipped to assist students and others who may be experiencing mental health challenges, thanks to a recently completed mental health first aid training program.
The training, facilitated by instructors from the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, provided participants with certifications that enable them to better recognize signs and symptoms of mental health struggles and substance abuse. While the trainees do not replace professional counselors or therapists, the program equips them to bridge the gap by connecting individuals with necessary resources.
“We’re just essentially that person that will be able to better recognize the signs and symptoms to be able to get them to somebody that could help them better,” said Dane Dillion, director of student development at BRTC and one of the program’s participants.
With the fall semester set to begin on Aug. 17, Dillion emphasized that the training comes at an opportune time as students return to campus. For students, the indicators of mental health challenges can include declining grades or poor attendance. When these signs emerge, Dillion and others trained through the program are prepared to step in.
“Maybe something’s not right,” Dillion explained. “Maybe we need to look a little bit further into this, touch base with them a little bit more often, and proceed from there.”
Claire Fisher, an Arkansas State University graduate student and communications specialist for BRTC, acknowledged the pressures faced by many students, particularly those balancing education, employment, and family responsibilities. She highlighted the importance of allowing oneself time to decompress.
“If they’re a graduate student, they think, ‘Oh, I’ve got family, I’ve got work, I’ve got school, I’ve got it all handled.’ But sometimes you just don’t have it all handled, and that’s okay,” Fisher said.
Fisher noted that she personally uses hobbies like crocheting or listening to music to manage stress. “I know if I can just take an hour out of my day where I can decompress and just have that minute to myself, then that kind of helps me take the load off of my day,” she said.
Dillion encouraged students to use designated spaces on campus designed for relaxation, where they can take what he described as “you time” to address their mental wellness.
While the training is primarily aimed at supporting students, its applications extend beyond the classroom, Dillion added, emphasizing its potential to help the broader community.
“We can use this anywhere,” Dillion said. “We’re out and about in the public, seeing those signs and symptoms, and being able to react and get them help.”
The college joins a growing number of institutions recognizing the importance of mental health support as students face increasing demands in their academic and personal lives.