Mental Health Awareness Training

The goal of the Mental Health Awareness Training project is to raise awareness for identifying and responding to mental health needs in youth. Approximately half of all mental health disorders develop by the age of 14, and suicide is currently the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24. It is critical that our community proactively learns about mental health needs, dispelling myths and reducing stigma. We invite you to join us at a free Youth Mental Health First Aid certification course.

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 individuals how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people and introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan 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. Participants will earn a three-year Youth Mental Health First Aid certificate from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

MHAT works with a team of community trainers to offer sessions in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole. Trainers are made available via a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

If you are interested in taking the course, you may scan the QR code, register online or contact Bethany Audette, program coordinator, at Bethany.Audette@EmbraceFamilies.org. If you represent at least 10 participants, you can also reach out to discuss scheduling a class just for your group.

• To explore community Mental Health & Substance Use Resources, click here 
• Para m¡s informacin sobre P¡gina de Ayuda para Salud Mental Y Uso de Sustancias, haga clic aqui