Southwest Behavioral & Health Services

Southwest Behavioral & Health Services is 501(c)3 non-profit that has been serving the Phoenix metropolitan area, rural Maricopa County, Gila, Pinal, Mohave, Coconino, and Yavapai Counties since 1974. They employ over 1,000 full-time staff, in addition to many contract positions and volunteers. Over the years, Southwest B&H has developed a reputation as an innovative leader in behavioral health. Their services are client directed, outcome informed, evidence-based and include treatment of co-occurring disorders, the FAST model in prevention services, the Arizona Treatment Initiative for children and families, and the Recovery Model for persons with serious mental illness.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training created in 2001 by Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm, who recognized the need for first aid training in the area of mental health. Just as people must learn the basics to help someone in need when they have a physical issue, someone with a mental health issue can benefit from first aid care. The National Council for Behavioral Health was given permission to reproduce and update this copyrighted material to train MHFA instructors in the U.S. to spread this knowledge to anyone interested. The course is designed for ages 18+ because it teaches adults how to provide mental health first aid to both adults and children. There is an adult course, where one can learn how to help adults, and a separate Youth MHFA course where one can learn how to help youth and adolescents ages 12-18.

Peer Support Specialist Training

A Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is an individual who can offer help to a consumer based on their own shared experience of being in recovery. This can range from a mental or substance use disorder, or being the family member of a person with a behavioral health condition. Their job can include advocacy, sharing resources, sharing their own experience, mentoring, goal setting, etc.

Learn more about these programs at www.sbhservices.org. Connect with Southwest Behavioral & Health Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Lynda Riford

Lynda Riford is the marketing director at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services and has been with the organization for 18+ years. She earned her Bachelor’s in Business Management at Western International University in 2009. She is passionate about the Mental Health First Aid program and sharing this important training.

Connect with Lynda Riford on LinkedIn.

Nicole Hein

Nicole Hein is a licensed, master level social worker (LMSW) with an additional Masters in Public Administration (MPA). She has been with Southwest Behavioral & Health Services for about 7 years and currently manages training, professional development, and evaluation for the company. She is committed to serving the public and helping people foster their talent and passions. She favors relational and transformational leadership and strives to emulate this style when working with clientele and colleagues.

Connect with Nicole Hein on LinkedIn.

Cindy Webb

Cindy Webb is the Coordinator of Learning and Development and Program Administrator for the Peer Support program and has been with Southwest Behavioral & Health Services for 6.5 years. She earned her Bachelor’s in Technical Management with an emphasis in Project Management at DeVry University in 2014. In her role as coordinator, she enjoys collaborating with both staff and consumers.