Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a groundbreaking public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
Mental Health First Aid USA is managed, operated, and disseminated by three national authorities — the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
YMHFA presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. Those who take this course to certify as Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
YMHFA is evidence-based with the goal of teaching lay people the basic knowledge and skills to respond to a young person in emotional distress.
Mental Health First Aid USA is managed, operated, and disseminated by three national authorities — the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
YMHFA presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. Those who take this course to certify as Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
YMHFA is evidence-based with the goal of teaching lay people the basic knowledge and skills to respond to a young person in emotional distress.
The Texas Legislature authorized grants to enable Local Mental Health Agencies to provide this training to educators at no cost.
Registration is limited to 40 participants and will include the Mental Health First Aid manual.
In addition to Mental Health First Aid certification, CEUs are also available for Licensed Social Workers and Licensed Counselors.