Communicating and connecting with people can be difficult even when people have a high intellect, but the process can be especially challenging for those who are trying to connect with the mentally ill.And the mental illness doesn’t have to be all that dramatic. It doesn’t have to be schizophrenia, manic depression or psychopathic in nature.Depression is the most prevalent mental illness in Bermuda, and trying to communicate or connect with someone who is depressed can be exhausting.Betty Kitchener, a psychologist, registered nurse, counsellor and professor in Melbourne, Australia, has won awards for a programme she and her husband devised that helps people connect with people in these challenging situations.Thanks to the Bermuda Hospitals Board, she is currently in Bermuda training staff at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute on what she calls Mental Health First Aid.Ms Kitchener will give a free talk tomorrow evening at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute for the general public on what families can do to facilitate connections that encourage improvement in the mental health of those they are caring for.Her talk will also be of benefit to teachers, emergency service personnel and anyone who has a lot of direct contact with the public.She will cover how to support someone in a mental health crisis situation or someone who is developing a mental illness.Ms Kitchener said her programme increases knowledge, reduces stigma and increases supportive actions. She said it even improves the mental health of the caregivers.Tomorrow’s talk is from 6pm to 7pm in the main boardroom of the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute.For more information you can visit www.mhfa.com.au