UR-SOS Youth Mental Health First Aid
Strengthening Educators’ Response to the Mental Health Needs of Teens
About Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults who work with youth the skills needed to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Adults will learn how to reach out and provide initial support to teens (12-18 years old) who may have a mental health or substance use problem and connect them with appropriate care.
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.
What Will Participants Learn?
The course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, they learn to support youth by applying a core five-step action plan:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Connect
Bring Your Community Together
Advocate
Change Attitudes About Mental Illnesses
Educate
Build Mental Health Literacy
Lead
Implementation Trainings & Office Hours
3rd Thursday each month @ Noon
12-12:30 pm: 30-minute training (Required for YMHFA instructors currently participating in a UR-SOS Cycle; past members welcome.)
12:30-1 pm: Optional “Office Hours” Q&A
(Open to all YMHFA instructors)