teen MHFA
teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches high school students (ages 15-18) how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders among their friends and peers. The training gives students the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and get a responsible and trusted adult to take over as necessary.
Summary
It is designed to be delivered in schools or community sites in three interactive classroom sessions of 90 minutes each, or six sessions of 45 minutes each. Schools and organizations offering the training are required to train at least 10 percent of adult staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth Mental Health First Aid educates adults to help young people facing a challenge or crisis) and to train the entire student grade level.
A critical step in the teen Mental Health First Aid action plan is connecting with a trusted adult.
What it covers:
Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges
Common signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis, particularly suicide.
The impact of school violence and bullying on mental health.
How to open the conversation about mental illnesses and substance use with friends and peers.
How to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult.
Students will learn valuable life skills that will help them them navigate high school and their entire future (listening non judgmentally, noticing others, compassion, importance of personal connection, etc).
Students will receive a manual to use during the course and take home to keep after the last session. Resources, reminders of an action plan, illustrations of circles of support and other helpful hints are listed in the manual to reference when needed.
To organize a course in your community, please contact Stephanie Hartman, Mental Health First Aid training coordinator at shartman@cbhcare.com.
