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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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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