Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Initiative at CMU Health receives Huntington Bank grant to expand mental health training
SAGINAW, Mich. – The Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Initiative at CMU Health received a $10,000 grant from Huntington Bank to expand Adult Mental Health First Aid programming for small businesses and non-profit organizations in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
The grant funding will support the delivery of AMHFA training for up to 60 individuals working in small businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region during the third and fourth quarters of 2026.
"Whether we're helping a local business grow, supporting a nonprofit's mission or investing in community initiatives, our work is always rooted in helping build a stronger future for this region,” said Ed Lesniak, Great Lakes Bay market president, Huntington Bank. “This partnership is another example of our commitment to the people and organizations who are making a lasting impact in our communities.”
This initiative will prioritize participants who serve, or are part of, low- to moderate-income communities, including those identified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
“Past attendees have found this training to be incredibly valuable,” said Dallas Rau, director of the Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Initiative at CMU Health. “Participants leave feeling better prepared to respond when someone in their workplace or community may be experiencing a moment of distress, and thanks to Huntington, we can continue this great work.”
The AMHFA training is a six-hour interactive course led by certified instructors. Participants learn how to recognize signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health crisis and gain practical tools to provide initial support. In addition, participants receive a list of local community resources to help connect individuals with additional support and services.
“The goal is to equip the people who are already serving their communities with the confidence and tools to recognize mental distress and offer meaningful initial support,” said Lorrie Garces, a psychiatrist at CMU Health. “Whether a person works in a small business, faith-based organization, social service agency, or some other capacity, the education offered in this training unifies communities and reduces the stigma around mental health.”
Upcoming MHFA training courses are available in Saginaw on September 15 at Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University in Saginaw, and November 17 at Saginaw ISD Unity Hall, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The cost is $25 per person, and this includes the registration fee, lunch, and refreshments. Adults interested in the course can register for the September 15 session here, or the November 17 session here.
For more information about GLBRMHI at CMU Health, please contact Dallas Rau at rau1d@cmich.edu.
