River Plate Adventist University (RPAU) in Argentina recently led a mental health training day to assist health officials across cities in the province of Entre Ríos, where the school campus is located. More than 230 mayors, councillors, and other officials attended the event, which sought to provide tools to tackle suicide, addictions, and depression in a practical way.
The initiative was a joint effort by RPAU and the vice governor’s office in response to a request from the government to the school. According to Ivana Balbi, director of the Institute of Legislative Training, as government authorities talked to local officials, they found out about the great need of having tools to address such social scourges.
The training event took place through rotations through three thematic stations led by a pair of professionals who focused on tools and strategies that can be applied to local communities. The station dealing with suicide discussed at-risk behaviors, first steps, responsible referral, and support networks. Addictions dealt with community approach, prevention, professional support, and institutional implementation. Finally, depression discussed screening processes, wellness promotion, active listening, and local resources.
RPAU education assistance center director Ayelén Agüero shared some details of the training proposal. “We divided the participants according to where they came from, from large, medium-sized cities, or small communities, which allowed for a more efficient organization,” she explained. Each of these groups rotated through the three thematic stations, with workshops led by CAE professionals, and with the valuable contribution of professionals from the nearby River Plate Adventist Sanitarium and provincial mental health director Esteban Dávila.
At the end of the three stations, a space allowed for reaching and discussing conclusions, asking questions, and committing to concrete actions. Organizers, on the other hand, emphasized that the goal of the training was beyond a mere transmission of knowledge. “We seek to create a space for dialogue, exchange of experiences, and joint development based on specific cases,” Agüero said.
A Long-term Program
While specific details are still pending, the idea is to repeat the experience three or four times a year, either on campus or by visiting the various regions across the province, event organizers said. “This training proposal is thought as the beginning of a long-term program,” organizers said.
Agüero highlighted the partnership model that government officials and the Adventist school followed. “It was an actual team effort, something we as organizers felt at every stage of the process,” she said. “We were surprised by the willingness to dialogue and the honesty with which they shared both their successes and their fears. And participants took home practical and informative resources they will be able to apply in their communities.”
The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Spanish-language news site.