BCC Nursing Programs Integrate Mental Health First Aid Certification

08:13AM / Thursday, April 17, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has added Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification as a mandatory component for all students in their final semester of the associate degree in nursing and practical nursing programs.

The requirement, based on the curriculum provided by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, aims to equip graduating nursing students with the skills to identify and respond to individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

Data from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention indicates an average of 130 daily deaths by suicide in the U.S. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that nearly one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 841,000 drug overdose deaths between 1999 and 2019.

The MHFA course provides training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use issues, offering initial support, and connecting individuals with appropriate professional resources. The curriculum covers risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction, strategies for crisis and non-crisis intervention, and available resources for help. Specific topics include depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders.

Lori Moon, Dean of Nursing at BCC, stated the college's belief in the essential nature of this certification for healthcare professionals. She also expressed hope for broader adoption of MHFA training across BCC faculty, staff, and programs.

"We believe this certification is essential for all healthcare professionals, and our students stand out by graduating with this credential. We hope that more BCC faculty, staff and programs will adopt this initiative and make completing this training a priority as we face increasing mental health challenges in our society," said BCC Dean of Nursing Lori Moon, who noted that two BCC full-time nursing faculty members, Katie Polchlopek and Kim VanDeusen, have completed MHFA instructor training through a BCC workforce initiative and are now certified as First Aiders in this curriculum.

Instructor certification requires a three-day training program that includes pre-work, a written exam, and a teaching presentation. Certified instructors are required to teach the MHFA course at least three times per year to maintain their certification.

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Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road.

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said.

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said.

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said.

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said.

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.

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