This course includes pre-homework that is REQUIRED to receive the certification.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12-18.

AFTER THE COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.

• Understand how to interact with a young person in crisis.

• Know how to connect a young person with help.

• Better understand trauma, psychosis, and the impact of social media and bullying.

This course consists of 1-2-hours of virtual self-paced content followed by 5 hours of live training via Zoom with yours truly. Youth Mental Health First Aid offers a 3-year certification.