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 one-day 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.

YMHFA will be offered in a blended format. There will be 2 hours of self-paced online learning prior to the class and approximately 5.5 hours of in-person training.

To register for the May 18 Youth Mental Health First Aid class, click here. You must be enrolled in advance to be admitted into the classroom. In addition, please note that there are 2 hours of self-paced online learning that needs to be completed before you come to class on May 18. If you haven’t completed the self-paced work, you can’t be admitted to the class.