Mental Health First Aid® teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care. Participants must complete an online self-study and then meet virtually with the instructor.  

By the end of the training, participants will learn:

• Common signs and symptoms of mental illness.
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use.
• How to interact with a person in crisis.
• How to connect the person with help.

Presented by Linda Santiman, MA, LMFT, Manager of Integrated Care, LA LGBT Center and Sara Watson, MCHES, Training and Events Specialist, CCALAC

Cost for CCALAC Members and Affiliates: $50, Non-members: $100

Register Now!

Group rates are available. Please email the Training Center at training@ccalac.org if interested in seeking a group rate.

Instructor Biographies:

Linda Santiman, MA, LMFT, Manager of Integrated Care

Linda Santiman, MA, LMFT has worked as a Manager of Integrated Care at the Los Angeles LGBT Center for the past 16 years, managing an Integrated Clinic Program funded by the Department of Mental Health, and the Medical Care Coordination program funded by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designated state health programs (DSHP). Linda also works as a private practice psychotherapist for individuals and couples and has taught workshops on LGBT Affirmative Couples and Managing Self Care as a Human Rights Advocate. In her free time, Linda enjoys performing in cabarets, swimming, and crafting in the fiber arts.

Sara Watson, MCHES, CCALAC Training and Events Specialist

Sara Watson, They/She, has worked at CCALAC as the Training and Events Specialist for the past four years and has over 15 years of experience in health education. Sara teaches mental health first aid and works with communities on CPR and first aid instruction. Prior to working with CCALAC, Sara worked as a Policy and Advocacy Director in Los Angeles where they focused on behavioral health integration with under-resourced communities and in improving access to quality health care. In their free time, Sara enjoys the outdoors, especially the ocean where they are a divemaster and teach SCUBA diving.