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Youth Mental Health First Aid

PFCA is excited to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid with Brissa Rubio one of our experienced trainers.

This course runs from 9:00am - 4pm. It will have pre-homework that is REQUIRED to attend.

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.

DID YOU KNOW? 

An estimated 49.5% of adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health. (2021)

Together we can CHANGE THAT! Having a supportive and trusted adult in their life is one of the strongest protective factors against mental health challenges for youth.

 

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.

 

Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):

Assess for risk of suicide or harm.

Listen non-judgmentally.

Give reassurance and information.

Encourage appropriate professional help.

Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

This course consists of 1-2-hours of virtual self-paced content followed by 5 hours of live training via Zoom with yours truly. You must be 18 years of age or older to attend this course. Youth Mental Health First Aid offers a 3-year certification.