[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro Text” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness<\/a>, approximately 1 in 5 Americans experiences mental health or addiction disorders each year (2022).<\/p>\n We spend roughly a third of our adult lives at work, which means it\u2019s critical for employers to take employee mental wellness seriously.<\/p>\n Winona State University believes Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification is essential, so employers can help their workforce be prepared to identify, understand, and respond to mental health issues among coworkers on the job.<\/p>\n This past summer, Merchants Bank in Winona, Minnesota, enrolled their first cohort in WSU\u2019s MHFA certification program<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/10\/ACE-in-the-Community-Merchants-MHFA-1280.jpg” alt=”Group photo of Merchants Bank employees after completing WSU’s Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification program.” title_text=”ACE-in-the-Community-Merchants-MHFA-1280″ admin_label=”Header Image” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Kristine Valk” job_title=”Training Director” company_name=”Merchants Bank” admin_label=”Kristine Valk Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The MHFA program aligned with Merchants\u2019 culture and core values of promoting workplace wellness. Thank you so much for a wonderful training day with MHFA! Our Merchants\u2019 team really appreciated the day, Mick had great energy as our facilitator. This topic is so very essential right now.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Mick Lynch” job_title=”Certified MHFA Trainer” company_name=”Winona State University, Counseling Services” admin_label=”Mick Lynch Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I am always honored when I can go into my community and have conversations about mental health, and spending the day doing MHFA training with those at Merchants was so rewarding.\u00a0The Merchants crew are such good people, and the compassion they show for their employees and their community is amazing.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Julie Kiehne” job_title=”Business Outreach Coordinator” company_name=”Winona State University, Adult & Continuing Education (ACE)” admin_label=”Julie Kiehne Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Studies show people trained in Mental Health First Aid are more knowledgeable and confident when it comes to identifying and helping individuals in distress. Our goal is to make MHFA as commonplace as CPR.\u00a0I believe we all need to be more aware and more informed, so we can advocate for our greatest asset: our people!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Outro Text” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n For more information on how to offer Mental Health First Aid Certification for your team, contact Julie Kiehne at jkiehne@winona.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”About Merchants Bank” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”About Merchants Bank Blurb” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Merchants Bank<\/a> is a trusted financial partner, supporting the communities they serve not just as a bank, but also a neighbor because mission and purpose matter.<\/p>\n They are committed to building strong communities together and believe that when the community thrives, all benefit. Community banks like Merchants serve as the backbone of our local economy.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”About WSU ACE” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”About ACE Blurb” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n