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Mental Health First Aid Logo

Help Youth in Tribal and Indigenous Communities

With our youth-focused course that honors Tribal and Indigenous practices, you’ll learn how to talk to young people ages 12-18 about their mental health.

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How Youth MHFA Helps Indigenous Mental Health

Tribal and Indigenous young people have the highest rate of youth suicide, and over 60% experience mental health challenges. Now more than ever, they need support. Our evidence-based training teaches you to step in with care.

Know What They’re Going Through

Understand how Tribal life affects their mental health and how to approach them with empathy.

Get Them Talking

Many kids stay quiet and try to handle things alone. Learn to notice the signs that they might be struggling and how to build trust so they open up.

Break the Stigma

71% of young people with depression who never sought help said they were worried about what people would say. You can change that by making it OK to talk about mental health.

Be Ready to Act

85% of educators say they need better training to handle student mental health. Our simple MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) gives you the tools to respond with confidence.

Help Them Grow and Succeed

When you support mental health early, young people can focus on learning, growing and being their best — at school and in life. 

Connect Them to the Right Care

Get tools that focus on Tribal and Indigenous mental health, so young people can get care that meets their specific needs.

MHFA outcomes and research

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Want to teach Adult MHFA to people in your community?

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Get Group Training

Work with our team to find the right training options for your group of 6 or more.

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Who Should Take Youth MHFA?

  • Parents
  • Family members
  • Guardians
  • Caregivers
  • Teachers and school staff
  • Coaches
  • Camp counselors
  • Youth group leaders
  • Health and human services workers

Are you under 18 or looking for peer-to-peer training? Check out our training for teens helping teens.

What You Learn

In this full-day training, you’ll learn how to help Tribal and Indigenous young people ages 12-18. Topics include anxiety, depression, suicide, bullying and substance use. You’ll also discuss their connection to rural living, generational trauma and more. You’ll be able to:

  • Learn the impact mental health and substance use challenges can have on Indigenous youth.
  • Know the risk and protective factors for these youth.
  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in young people.
  • Use the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to support Indigenous youth.
  • Interact with a young person in crisis.
  • Connect a young person with professional help.
  • Address stigma and explain that recovery is possible.
  • Encourage young people to practice self-care.
  • Get national and regional resources for youth mental health in Tribal and Indigenous communities.
Why Train With MHFA?

How MHFA Works With Schools

We know parents and guardians want to understand the ways schools and organizations care for their children’s mental wellbeing. If you plan to teach Youth MHFA, keep parents and guardians informed before the course starts with information sessions and MHFA resources.

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Get Started With Youth Mental Health First Aid