WHY YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors and health and human services workers and any other citizen how to identify, understand and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
WHO SHOULD KNOW MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
• Teachers • School Staff • Coaches • Camp Counselors • Youth Group Leaders • Parents • Adults who Work with Youth
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
• Assess for risk of suicide or harm. • Listen nonjudgmentally. • Give reassurance and information. • Encourage appropriate professional help.
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
Sources * National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Kids. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids
** Mental Health First Aid. (2020). Mental Health First Aid USA for adults assisting children and youth. National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
*** Kessler, R., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K.R., Walters, E.E. (2005, June). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry. 62(6); 593-602.doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593