Louisville Metro Corrections hosts mental health awareness classes for other first responders

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Mental health is a growing concern for those who serve and protect us every day and that concern is being addressed this week with dozens of local first responders.

Thirteen agencies across Kentucky are in the middle of a three-day training session where the focus is on mental health, not only for first responders but for those they work with every day.

On Wednesday, about 30 representatives of local correctional departments met at the training academy to hear from members of the National Institute of Corrections.

The training will equip staff with skills to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use challenges.

"That is a huge part of a corrections officer's or a correction's employees jobs now is to have that mental health training, and one of the things I learned years ago when I went to it was it also help in everyday life with your family, your friends," Louisville Metro Corrections Chief Jerry Collins said.

This is the first time a Mental Health Training class was offered to LMDC employees.

Support resources will also help first responders cope with challenges they face every day in high-stress situations, and that starts with focusing on yourself before you can help others.

"You just need to know how to talk to people, have the correct training, communication — on a scale of one to 10, it is a definite 10," Lt. Rob Buran, of Louisville Metro Corrections, said.