The Community Foundation opened a new Pinellas County office in St. Petersburg at 110 Central Avenue.

The Foundation has a principal office in Tampa and maintains staffing, or offices, in several areas within the five counties it serves.

The Foundation also launched a new initiative Mental Health First Aid. The initiative teaches people in key roles how to identify, understand and respond to the mental health challenges of our friends and neighbors, a statement said.

Mental Health First Aid is a nationally certified training course that empowers people who work in public-facing roles to identify, understand and respond to signs of addictions and mental illness.

The Community Foundation is aiming to train 5,000 people, over the next three years, partnering with St. Petersburg College and Love IV Lawrence, a Community Foundation-hosted fund that supports organizations making positive changes around mental health.

The Community Foundation is covering the cost of the Mental Health First Aid course for people who work at nonprofit organizations, education institutions, faith communities and other public service organizations across the Tampa Bay region.

“We often look to the business and community leaders who serve on our Regional Councils to guide our work as a collaborator, convener and catalyst in bringing resources to local communities,” says Marlene Spalten, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.