Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid

One in five American youth experiences a serious mental health challenge each year.

Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin prior to age 14. You can help someone get the help they need—you may even save a life—by simply asking, “Is everything okay?”

Youth Mental Health First Aid in Topeka (YMHFA) is a free training that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among kids and adolescents ages 12-18.

Who should know about YMHFA? Teachers, school staff, coaches, camp counselors, youth group leaders, parents and any adult who works with youth would benefit from this course.

The course covers:

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
• How to interact with a child or teen in crisis.
• How to connect the youth with help.
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.

Family Service & Guidance Center offers this class at no charge as a community service. The class can be offered in-person (8 hours), virtually (2 hours of self-paced earning and 5.5 hours of facilitator-led virtual training) or blended (2 hours of self-paced online learning and 4.5 hours of in-person training).

To learn more or to enroll in an upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid class, contact pevans@fsgctopeka.com or 785.232.7902. You must be enrolled in advance to be admitted into the classroom.

If you’re interested in scheduling or enrolling in a Mental Health First Aid class that focuses on helping adults, e-mail mhfa@valeotopeka.org.