Youth Mental Health First Aid

The Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) information session is designed for parents and guardians of the youth who may be supported by a Youth Mental Health First Aider trained through your session. The purpose of the session is to provide an overview of the YMHFA program and explain how First Aiders support young people who may approach them with questions or concerns about their own mental health, including substance use, or that of their peers. The session also offers an opportunity to share important school/site-specific, local, and national resources available to parents and guardians. Because parents and guardians often have busy schedules and other commitments, participation in information sessions—regardless of the topic—can be low. To help increase attendance, consider scheduling a session alongside an existing parent-focused event, such as a back-to-school night or family engagement activity. Offering a virtual option can also provide a more flexible opportunity for those who may not be able to attend in person.

Dear Parents/Guardians, Teachers, Care-givers, Community. The Mental Health Association in NJ will conduct Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) training for West Orange on Saturday, April 25th from 9am-4pm at the West Orange Public Library Conference Room. This is an evidence-based training that teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in youth.

Mental health challenges are very common among youth, and this course is being introduced as a proactive resource—not in response to any specific concerns at our location. All personal information about youth is kept confidential and will not be shared during the course. The course is being taught by Lynette Sheard and Laverne S. Williams. All Instructors teaching the course have received special training and are certified to teach the course by Mental Health First Aid USA®, a division of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and appearance that indicate the possibility of a mental health challenge, rather than focusing on specific illnesses. Learners are taught the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE), which they can apply to noncrisis and crisis scenarios. By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of YMHFA and the role of the Mental Health First Aider.

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges that may impact youth.

• Explain the impact of traumatic experiences and the role of resilience on adolescent development.

• Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) in noncrisis and crisis scenarios.

• Practice appropriate methods for self-care following the application of YMHFA in a noncrisis or crisis situation.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to: • Describe the purpose of YMHFA and the role of the Mental Health First Aider. • Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges that may impact youth. • Explain the impact of traumatic experiences and the role of resilience on adolescent development. • Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) in noncrisis and crisis scenarios. • Practice appropriate methods for self-care following the application of YMHFA in a noncrisis or crisis situation.

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