Illinois State University’s Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is recruiting for a Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps Member to teach Mental Health First Aid in 2021. The Member will teach others how to support individuals who are experiencing a mental health challenge or illness. One in five adults has a diagnosed mental illness. They are our family, friends, and neighbors.
The AmeriCorps Member also will support the McLean County Health Department, the lead agency for the McLean County Mental Health First Aid Collaborative comprising the AHEC, Health Department, and other health and human service organizations. With the help of AmeriCorps Members and local instructors, the MHFA Collaborative has certified over 2,600 MHFAiders since 2014.
The Healthy Minds Alliance, developed through Health360 in collaboration with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and AmeriCorps, addresses the important issue of improving mental health outcomes in our nation. AmeriCorps members are trained as MHFA instructors and provide MHFA certification classes in their communities for audiences including teachers, community health and public safety workers, college students, veterans, nurses, and interested citizens. Any adult can benefit from taking the course.
“AmeriCorps is an indispensable resource to help meet critical mental health challenges facing our communities and nation,” said Tricia Harrity, executive director of Health360. “We’re thrilled to be working with a diverse group of 20 AmeriCorps host site organizations including Illinois State University’s Area Health Education Center who provides everything the Member needs for a successful service year. AmeriCorps members and their respective host sites will meet pressing local mental health needs as they develop civic and leadership skills that last a lifetime.”
“With the AmeriCorps Member, we promote and provide the virtual and in-person MHFA and Youth MHFA certification courses in our 16-county region including McLean County,” said Sharon Mills, Central Illinois AHEC director. “These courses raise awareness of the signs and symptoms someone may be in crisis or developing a mental illness, provide a plan to respond, and share health care resources and information. This helps to reduce stigma related to mental illness and encourages hope for recovery.”
The AmeriCorps Member will complete a 10-month commitment beginning Summer 2021. The position is 40 hours per week totaling 1700 service hours. Members receive a $14,279 stipend for their service, paid biweekly, and a $6,195 Education Award upon completion of the service commitment. A Bachelor’s Degree is required. To apply for this position, individuals can send a cover letter and resume by mail to Sharon Mills, Central Illinois AHEC, Illinois State University, Campus Box 4950, Normal, IL 61790-4950 or by email to smmills@ilstu.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Health360
Health360’s mission is to improve health equity in our nation’s communities through innovative partnership-based initiatives in education, service and leadership development. Health360.org
AmeriCorps
Federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteering and service efforts. https://www.americorps.gov/
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
The unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services and is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. www.thenationalcouncil.org
Central Illinois Area Health Education Center, Illinois State University
The Central IL AHEC mission is to develop and enhance education and training networks within communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations to increase diversity among health professionals, broaden the distribution of the health workforce, enhance health care quality, and improve health care delivery to rural and underserved areas and populations. www.cihealth.IllinoisState.edu
McLean County Health Department
The mission of the McLean County Health Department is to Protect and Promote Health. The Department fulfills the public interest in assuring conditions conducive to good health and providing leadership in promoting and protecting the health of county residents.
https://health.mcleancountyil.gov
