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teen Mental Health First Aid

teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens in grades 9-12, or ages 14-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers.

Adolescence is a time of critical change and development, and the time when mental health challenges may first emerge. Those challenges may be the cause for falling grades, problems with close relationships and substance use. Take comfort knowing that your students will be prepared to provide support for their peers as well as better cope with mental health challenges themselves — and get assistance from a trusted adult.

Learn how to bring tMHFA to your community. Click here to get started!

 

For more info, view the tMHFA one-pager.

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tMHFA was brought to the United States by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Why Mental Health Matters for Teens

1 in 5
teens in the United States will experience a mental health challenge by the time they are 18.
3
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among youth ages 15–19.
64%
of teens in the United States who experience mental health challenges don’t seek help.

How teen Mental Health First Aid Can Help

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Course content addresses common mental health challenges in young people.
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Understanding reduces stigma.
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Teens have an Action Plan to help friends and peers who may be facing a mental health challenge or crisis, such as suicide.
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Youth learn how and when to involve a parent, guardian or other responsible and trusted adult.

Ways to Teach and Learn

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In-Person

Lessons are conducted in person in six 45-minute sessions or three 90-minute sessions.

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Blended

Six lessons consist of a self-paced online lesson followed by live, Instructor-led sessions held in person or over video conference.

 

How tMHFA Empowers Teens in New Jersey
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How MHFA Involves Parents and Guardians

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Mental Health First Aid know parents and guardians want to understand what their children are being taught, especially when it concerns their health and wellbeing. That’s why it’s important to talk openly about teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) before classes begin so parents and guardians can learn how it supports their children’s mental health inside and outside of school.

As part of the implementation of teen MHFA, schools and organizations host information sessions and provide additional resources for parents and guardians to hear about the course curriculum, to ask questions and raise concerns, and to learn new ways to support their child’s mental health.
All parents and guardians can opt their child out of teen MHFA.

Critically, teen MHFA teaches teens to reach out to a parent, guardian or trusted adult. For this reason, schools and organizations provide Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) training — our course for adults who work or live with youth — for at least 5% of their teen MHFA Instructors. We encourage parents and guardians to attend a Youth MHFA course as well, to create opportunities for increased trust and shared understanding with their teens.

Learn More

To read more about how Mental Health First Aid is helping critical populations,
check out our case studies , or read our blog and filter by population type.

Latest News & Updates

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In my sophomore year of high school, I took the teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) course as part of my gym class, and my number one takeaway is that mental health is just as important as physical health. This is especially true for student athletes like me, who often sacrifice their mental wellbeing for a sport. tMHFA covers a broad range of mental health […]...

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