Youth Mental Health First Aid

This is a public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people (ages 12-18) to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS LEARN? The course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis by applying a core five-step action plan: 1) Assess for risk of suicide or harm 2) Listen nonjudgmentally 3) Give reassurance and information 4) Encourage appropriate professional help and 5) Encourage self-help and other support strategies.