$12,000 grant will let Olympic College offer free mental health training to up to 300 people

A $12,000 grant from the Bainbridge Community Foundation will pay to certify an Olympic College faculty member as a Mental Health First Aid instructor, allowing the college to offer the training free to up to 300 participants.

Mental Health First Aid teaches people to recognize and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges and connect others with support, without diagnosing or providing therapy. Olympic College said keeping instruction in-house with its own faculty, rather than outside contractors, makes the program more sustainable and cost-effective.

Grant funding has supported the college’s program since 2019, and it has served about 60 participants per quarter, according to the college.

“This funding will help us expand access to valuable mental health training and strengthen our campus community’s ability to recognize when someone may need support,” said Olympic College President Chantae Recasner.

Debbie Kuffel, the foundation’s program and finance officer, said mental health support was identified as a priority in the foundation’s annual nonprofit survey.

The next training session is Nov. 17 at the Bremerton campus. More information is on Olympic College’s Well-Being and Health Promotion page.