One Call That Changed Everything: Why Mental Health First Aid Matters

It was a Friday evening at our Hunterdon County office in Lebanon, NJ, just after hours, when the phone rang. Bette Ann Sinclair, a new Community Resource Specialist at the Progressive Center for Independent Living (PCIL), happened to still be in the office and answered.

On the other end of the line was a woman in clear distress. She was crying, shouting, and speaking in a torrent of words. To Bette Ann, it was immediately evident that this woman was struggling. She sounded fearful, overwhelmed, and utterly alone.

Bette Ann knew she had to stay on the line — listening, offering empathy, and keeping her calm. For nearly an hour, she did just that, providing a steady, non-judgmental presence when it was needed most. By the end of the call, she had helped the woman de-escalate and made a plan to check in with her daily over the weekend.

But even after those follow-up calls, Bette Ann couldn’t shake the thought that she didn’t have all the tools she needed to fully handle the situation. While her previous work in hospital settings had given her some experience, this was different. The stakes felt higher, but she felt reassured knowing she had already registered for PCIL’s upcoming Mental Health First Aid training — and that the course would soon give her the confidence, resources, and action plan to handle future situations with greater preparation.

What is Mental Health First Aid Training?

September is Suicide Prevention Month and serves as a great launching pad to remind us all that mental health crises don’t wait for the “right” time. They can happen to anyone, anywhere — in schools, workplaces, community centers, or even in a phone call at the end of the day. And often, the first person on the scene makes all the difference.

That’s why Mental Health First Aid training is so critical. The course teaches you how to recognize the signs, respond with confidence, and connect people to the support they need.

During this six-hour training, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.

• Interact with someone in crisis using de-escalation strategies and non-judgmental listening.

• Connect a person with professional help and community resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

  
  

Already, 41 people in our community have completed Mental Health First Aid training with PCIL, and each one left better prepared to support others in crisis.

Participants consistently share how eye-opening the training is. One graduate explained:

“I always thought asking them if they are planning on killing themselves would give them the idea to, but I learned to be more comfortable asking that question. That it’s actually really necessary in these situations.”

Another participant shared how practical the approach was:

“I found the ALGEE action plan to be very useful, especially because I am a very visual person. I think I’m going to be using that a lot.”

These takeaways reflect what dozens of graduates have already discovered: Mental Health First Aid gives everyday people the confidence to step in when it matters most.

Bette Ann at the Hunterdon PCIL Office holding up her Adult Mental Health First Aid Training Certificate with pride.

Finding Confidence Through Training

For Bette Ann, the training was eye-opening. It introduced her to an evidence-based action plan for handling mental health crises and connected her with resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that she hadn’t known about before.

“It made me feel more prepared, more aware, and more compassionate,” she shared. “It gave me tools to respond in ways that could truly make a difference. And it changed how I think about mental health and suicide prevention entirely.”

Today, she continues to check in on the woman who called her that evening. The relationship has become professional but meaningful — proof that sometimes, simply showing up, listening, and following through can create a lifeline.

Free Training Through the IHC Grant

Through our Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant, PCIL is proud to offer free Mental Health First Aid training targeted specifically for first responders, healthcare professionals, and social workers in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties.

This evidence-based program equips participants with the skills to recognize the signs of mental health challenges, respond effectively, and provide meaningful support — whether in emergency situations or everyday interactions.

Organizations may request training tailored to either adults or youth, delivered in-person or virtually. Upon successful completion of the full-day course, participants will earn a nationally recognized, three-year certification as a Mental Health First Aider.

Already, 41 people in our community have completed this training through PCIL, and each one left better prepared to step in when it mattered most.

This grant is only available through June 30,  2026 and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 50 participants.

Take Action

Mental health crises can happen anywhere — and being prepared can save a life.

If you’re a first responder in Mercer or Hunterdon County, NJ — police officer, firefighter, EMT, 911 dispatcher, or corrections officer — you can now take this training for free, thanks to a new grant awarded to PCIL. This grant is only available through June 30, 2026 and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 50 first-responders who apply.

If you’re a community member, educator, social worker, parent, or advocate, you are also encouraged to sign up. While the grant covers first responders, PCIL offers this training at any time to all community members who want to be better prepared.

This six-hour course provides practical skills that can make the difference between crisis and recovery.

Together, we can build a more compassionate and prepared community.

About PCIL

The Progressive Center for Independent Living (PCIL) is a nonprofit, non-residential, community-based organization serving people with disabilities in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, New Jersey. Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently by providing support coordination, peer groups, independent living skills training, advocacy, and community resources.

Stories like Bette Ann’s remind us that preparation and compassion can change — and even save — lives.