Mental Health Training Classes
2171 Introduction to Peer Support Skills and Mental Health Literacy
Requirement: Students must bring a laptop.
Individuals who have experienced depression, addiction and suicidal despair often emphasize the profound impact of peer connection. This sense of community not only helps bring them back from the brink but also instills hope and a renewed sense of purpose. Their compassion, ability to listen and skills in bridging others to resources save lives. Peer support programs provide natural assistance for workplace mental health.
This course is designed to enhance trainers’ mental health literacy and peer support expertise with an ephasis on knowledge, skills and confidence. In this course, students will develop an understanding of the value, fundamentals and practices of peer support skills. By the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of mental health literacy, find shared meaningful experiences with peers, express empathy through reflections and demonstrate active listening skills. Students will also be able to assist in connecting people who are struggling to specialty professional services such as crisis counseling and addiction recovery services.
Dates and locations are listed below. To register, please visit uanet.org.
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 188 – Savannah, GA
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 296 – Meridian, ID
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 367 – Anchorage, AK
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 537 – Dorchester, MA
October 13 – 15, 2026
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 234 – Jacksonville, FL
2172 Advanced Skills in Suicide Prevention Training, Peer Support Skills and Mental Health Literacy
Prerequisite: 2171 Introduction to Peer Support Skills and Mental Health Literacy
Requirement: Students must bring a laptop.
The Advanced Skills in Peer Support Skills and Mental Health Literacy is for people who have successfully completed the introductory course (2171) and desire to improve their abilities and knowledge to the level where they can train others in basic skills.
In both the peer skills developed and the mental literacy topics covered, the material is more crisis-focused than the basic listening and support skills in the Introduction course. Participants will gain some basic proficiency in motivational interviewing, crisis response planning, and lethal means safety planning. Mental health literacy topics covered include understanding emotional intensity and how to regulate it, and suicide/overdose trauma and grief.
Graduates of this course will earn a VitalCog in Construction Train the Trainer certification. This 8-hour training gives participants the tools to deliver the 2-hour VitalCog training at their Local Union. After completing the course, trainers can give participants the tools to identify people at risk and respond to a crisis.
This is a 20-hour course delivered over three days. The dates and locations are listed below. To register, please visit uanet.org.
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 188 – Savannah, GA
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
U 296 – Meridian, ID
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 367 – Anchorage, AK
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 537 – Dorchester, MA
(8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
LU 234 – Jacksonville, FL