BCC to Hold Mental Health First Aid Training

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s Workforce and Community Education department will hold its Mental Health First Aid Training this month. 
 
The training will be held over two days, the first session will be held Wednesday, May 21 from 4-8 p.m., and the second session will be held Wednesday, May 28 from 4-8 p.m. Co-instructors Sarah De Jesus and Jennifer Bishop lead both sessions, available both in person and hybrid.  
 
Mental Health First Aid helps assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, students will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. 
 
Topics covered include depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorders. Students will learn how to apply the Mental Health First Aid action plan in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing panic attacks, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, self-injury, acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions), overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use, or reaction to traumatic events. Teaching methods include role-playing, scenario discussions, and other activities, allowing students to apply learned skills in real-life situations. 
 
Enrollment is capped at 20 students per session. To register, visit  www.berkshirecc.edu/mentalhealth

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Companion Corner: Robert and Marmee at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is a bonded pair of felines looking for a new home where they can window watch.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.  

Marmee and Robert are two domestic shorthair cats who are about 5 years old and have been at the shelter for a couple of months.

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to them.  

"They were originally strays, and they were found together with their kittens that they had," she said. "We adopted out all of the kittens that they had, and they did end up with a respiratory infection, which we did have to isolate them for a couple months to let them recover from that respiratory infection. They have since recovered from that, and they're doing amazing now."

After recovering, they have shown to be very affectionate. While a little shy at first, they want to know who you are.

"Robert and Marmee are super affectionate. They love to be pet. They just want love all the time. Chin scratches and all," Petell  said.

The two are bonded and would need to go home together. They love to play with string toys and lounge around together.

"Robert and Marmee are super super bonded, as I mentioned earlier. So they definitely need to go home together. They sleep together. They groom each other. They just absolutely love each other, and they are also super playful," she said. "They got lots of toys, and they both have just wonderful personalities." 

The cats can go to a home with children and possibly other cats. They have not been tested with dogs but it may be OK with a cat-friendly dog.

"We don't know about how they would be around dogs because you know we don't have much history since they were strays," Petell said. "But with other cats, they should be fine. They're really good with each other, and they've been really tolerant of other cats in our shelter, so I think they would do great with other cats. Kids should be fine, and I guess we're just not really sure about dogs."

When bringing them into their new home, they will be very curious but will be an amazing addition to a family.

"They are really curious. They definitely are funny. They do like to get into things, so just be careful with what food you have out or items, because they just want to know what's going on and see if they can find a little snack sometimes." she said. "But they are just wonderful, super affectionate, super curious and amazing cats." 

You can visit the two at the Berkshire Humane Society and read more about them on the website.

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