Utilize the SOAR On-PAR Toolkit to Begin a Journey Towards Lifelong Growth.

Internalize what you learn about intentional living and put it into action.

Nurture connection as an investment in others as well as yourself.

Make a self-promise to have a fluid, well-integrated life.

Commit to wise choices, quality relationships and embracing change.

Anita D Russell,
Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor

“On a mission to make Mental Health First Aid as common as CPR.”

On a personal level, there are three key reasons why I decided to go down the path of becoming a Mental Health First Aid instructor and bringing this information into the community.

• The negativity and the stigma associated with mental health and mental illness is pervasive across society and needs to change.
• In certain communities, a somewhat checkered racial history has created an air of mistrust, preventing people from seeking help. (Think Tuskegee 626, Henrietta Lacks or Medical Apartheid.)
• I’ve had first-hand personal experience being in a state of compromised mental health.

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Click here to complete contact form to stay informed of MHFA training offered by The Place to SOAR.

The Place to SOAR  recently participated in a half-day workshop focused on youth, where parents, educators and mentors came together to learn holistic skills for the healthy development of our young people–in mind, body, and spirit.

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SOAR Workshop — Positive Self-Image: Are You Up to PAR?

As one of the workshop leaders, I guided the audience in a discussion of the importance of positive self-image in youth. Specifically, we will examine self-image through the lens of bullying thoughts, actions and behaviors and how it all links to personal accountability and responsibility (PAR). We discussed the need for leadership, influence and connection in bullying intervention and prevention.

Did you know?
1) 70% of teens do not have a positive self-image
2) Peers play varying roles in the bully experience
3) Bullying is your business

PAR: Personal Accountability and Responsibility
Bullying is Everybody’s Business
Leadership | Influence | Connection

Take Action Today
User Guides are available to broaden the understanding of various roles such as community leaders, faith leaders, educators, administrators, parents. etc. Guides are available for 11 different audiences

Sample Guide – Understanding the Roles of School Administrators in Community-Wide Bullying Prevention Efforts

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This Road Map helped to guide our discussion.

 

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Do you know about the KnowBullying Prevention App?
Read about it…learn how you can help.

Greetings!   My name is Anita D Russell. I’m the founder of SOAR Coaching Academy of Pittsburgh. I am looking for a cohort of individuals to complete Mental Health First Aid Training in the city of Pittsburgh. 

Working with Steel Smiling Pittsburgh founder, Julius Boatwright, I am searching for a group of 25 individuals who (1) believe there is a need for greater public mental health awareness, (2) agree that myths and stigmas associated with mental health need to be busted and (3) are willing to contribute to improving mental health knowledge and skills for first responders. This is a profound need and we have the tools to provide the right knowledge and skills.   

By the way, Mental Health First Aid Training offers sessions focused on youth and adults.

• Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Overview
• Adult Mental Health First Aid Training Overview

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YES, I want to take the Mental Health First AID Training to serve the community!