Youth - Mental Health First Aid

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.

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.

Support Youth Who Have Experienced Trauma

Whether you work with children and youth, or you’re a parent or a caring neighbor, you can play a critical role in helping children and youth thrive. After receiving your certification as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, we’ll enroll you — at no charge — in Strong Resilient Youth: Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Trauma. To learn more, download the Strong Resilient Youth marketing flyer.

This free training will help you explain what trauma is and how it presents itself in children and youth; recognize when and how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other potentially traumatic events affect children’s and youth’s abilities to learn and engage; learn how trauma manifests in communities and why communities of color are disproportionately affected; and practice an effective approach to building stronger relationships with children and youth, helping them to build resiliency and positive coping strategies.

While this course is endorsed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the Strong Resilient Youth: Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Trauma training does not contribute to Mental Health First Aid Certification or Instructor Certification requirements.

Latest News & Updates

See All News

two teen boys reading books and talking on a sidewalk

Give Teens Permission to Talk About Mental Health

I first heard about teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) late summer of 2018. The National Council had introduced a collaboration project with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and was piloting the program across the country. As a manager at North Texas Behavioral Health Authority in Dallas, I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to get involved. It was refreshing to hear stories about […]...

Mental Health First Aid
for Youth