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Mental Health First Aid
for Youth

Youth Mental Health First Aid

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 citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how 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. To learn more, download the Mental Health First Aid for Youth one-pager.

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Why Mental Health Matters for Youth

1 in 5
One in five youth will experience a mental health challenge at some point during their life.
17.1 m
17.1 million youth under the age of 18 have or have had a psychiatric disorder – more than the number of children with cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.
7.4%
7.4% of children in the United States have a mental health visit in a given year.

How Youth Mental Health First Aid Can Help

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Informs adults about common mental health concerns among youth.
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Reduces stigma.
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Teaches adults how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use problems in youth.
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Provides adults with skills to use a 5-step action plan to help a youth who may be facing a mental health problem or crisis, such as suicide.

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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Consider Culture When Communicating with Young People

According to the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) curriculum, culture shapes people’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviors when it comes to wellbeing, including mental health. For example, some people may want their family to be part of their mental health decisions, and some people may not. In many ways, every encounter you have is likely a cross-cultural one, as everyone is a member of multiple […]...

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