Loudoun County announced on Mar. 26 that it will offer a series of free behavioral health training sessions throughout April. The trainings are open to the public, but registration is required for most sessions due to limited seating.
The county’s initiative aims to equip residents with skills to identify and respond to mental health and substance use issues, as well as provide tools for suicide prevention and opioid overdose response. These programs are designed for both individuals seeking personal knowledge and those who may interact with at-risk populations.
Among the offerings is Mental Health First Aid, which teaches participants how to recognize signs of mental illness or substance use disorders and how to provide initial support. Two versions will be available: one general adult program and another tailored for adults who work with youth. The next in-person sessions will take place at the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services office in Sterling. Registration must be completed by Monday, April 20; more information can be found at loudoun.gov/MHFirstAid.
For opioid overdose prevention, Loudoun County provides REVIVE! training—Virginia’s education program on opioid overdose response using naloxone. Rapid REVIVE! offers a brief six-minute video format available anytime without registration; participants receive free naloxone nasal spray by mail or pickup after submitting contact information online (available in English and Spanish). Virtual REVIVE! requires registration for a scheduled one-hour session, after which participants also receive naloxone.
Additionally, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training will be offered virtually. This one-hour session helps attendees learn three key steps that can assist someone experiencing a suicide crisis.
Residents requiring accommodations—including language assistance—to participate should contact the county by phone or email at least three business days prior to their chosen session. Further details about these programs are available through the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services website.
