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Community Corner

Rep. Hoydick joins AT&T for Mental Health First Aid Training Grant to Sterling House

STRATFORD- State Rep. Laura Hoydick (R-120) joined Kate Venison of Stratford Community Services, Andrea Boissevan of the Stratford Health Department as Louis Perno, Executive Director of Sterling House Community Center accepted a $10,000 grant from AT&T for the construction and implementation of the new Stratford Mental Health First Air Training Project. The grant was obtained from AT&T through support from Rep. Hoydick.

“I am very satisfied with how this project has come together and how we will be able educate people and provide them with the training to get mental illness treatment to those in need,” said Rep. Hoydick. “The great work and collaboration that we have seen from Stratford Community Services, Sterling House Community Center, the Stratford Youth Service Bureau, and the Stratford Health Department, as well as the generous funding that AT&T provided, will provide help services to those with mental illness.”

The Mental Health First Aid Training program will teach people to see and recognize signs of mental illness and to then provide the individual in need with the appropriate help. The program will be an 8-hour training course and will be held multiple times during the year to allow for individuals without prior experience to receive training on how to help someone with a mental health crisis. The Sterling House Community Center, Stratford Community Services and Rep. Hoydick were very involved in developing the program in Stratford to help recognize those with mental illness and securing the funding for the project.

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“The AT&T Foundation grant supports a program which is a blueprint for providing comfort, promoting recovery, and helping to reduce distress related to stressful situations, trauma and crisis”, said Kelly Bertucci, AT&T Area Manager-External Affairs.

The program will educate participants on a range of mental disorders and give instructions on how to get help for the person in need. The course will give specific situations and detailed instructions on the best ways to aid and get treatment for those that need help.

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