Youth Mental Health First Aid is a crucial workshop for teachers and school staff to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide immediate support to adolescents who are facing mental health challenges or crises. Similar to CPR for physical injuries, this workshop serves as an emergency mental health intervention designed to save lives. It is an international, evidence-based workshop that empowers participants with the confidence to better manage potential or developing mental health problems in the classroom. The workshop is tailored to educators who regularly interact with young people but have limited training in the field of mental health. Through the program, participants are introduced to the most common mental health challenges experienced by youth, and are provided with a review of typical adolescent development. They are taught how to recognize and respond to young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered during the workshop include anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, disruptive behavioral disorders, and eating disorders. At the end of the training, participants will have the skills to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health crises such as suicide, panic attacks, and psychosis. They will be equipped with the initial support necessary to assist a student developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Moreover, they will be prepared to guide a student towards appropriate professional help, thereby contributing to better mental health outcomes for young people.
