July/August 2018Vol. 19, No. 6Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course, produced by the National Council for Behavioral Health, is intended for adults (e.g., parents, family members, other caregivers, educators, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers) who regularly interact with young people between the ages of 12 and 18 experiencing mental health and substance use challenges or who are in crisis.
The course describes common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and provides a five-step action plan for helping young people in both crisis and noncrisis situations. The course covers topics such as anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, disruptive behavior disorders, and eating disorders.
For more information on how to participate in the Youth Mental Health First Aid course, go to https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/course-types/youth/.