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 mental health or addictions challenges 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.
Along with matchmaking, this year BBBS has decided to focus our attention on the mental health of our young people. While youth mental health was a concern prior to the pandemic, the need for additional community awareness and training on how to identify and support youth facing mental health issues is even greater now. As of this September, we have trained over 85 individuals in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)--this is a mix of BBBS staff, Bigs, teachers, and community members.
If you or someone you know would like to be trained in YMHFA please contact:
