Mental Health Education
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Because we can all be more aware and more informed.
#BeTheDifferenceSB
Take a course. Change a life.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a comprehensive training specifically designed to equip educators, family members, and caregivers (18 years or older) with the skills and knowledge to identify, understand, and respond to the signs or risk factors of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth.
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. PRINT FLYER [ENGLISH] >> PRINT FLYER [SPANISH] >>
Learn the importance of early intervention. Learn the risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance use concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and how to connect youth to appropriate care.
Similar to traditional First Aid and CPR, Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.
- Preserve life when person may be a danger to self or others,
- Provide help to prevent the problem from becoming more serious,
- Promote and enhance recovery,
- Provide comfort and support
Mental Health First Aid helps people respond appropriately when someone is distressed, offer initial support and be a link to resources.
Mental Health First Aid is a program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments.
The course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; and provide initial help.
A young person you know could be struggling.
Sometimes first aid isn't a bandage or CPR.
Sometimes, first aid is YOU.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based education and prevention tool to improve the public’s knowledge of mental health and substance use problems.
Mental Health First Aid helps people know that mental illnesses and addictions are real, common and treatable and that it’s okay to seek help.
- Mental health issues are common
- Stigma is associated with mental health problems
- Many people are not well informed
- Professional help is not always on hand
- People often do not know how to respond in times of need
- People with mental health problems often do not seek help
Anyone, anywhere can make a difference in the life of someone with a mental health or substance use challenge – if they know what to do and what to say.
The greater the number of teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, parents and school support staff trained, the more students will benefit from accessing the help that they need. The ability to recognize that a young person’s lack of focus, bullying behaviors or failure to turn in assignments may be linked to an underlying mental health or substance use problem is an important step in supporting them effectively.
Teachers and support staff need the appropriate tools to engage students who might be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis just as they would be trained to address physical health emergencies. Studies demonstrate that early detection and treatment of mental health and substance use problems in adolescents can make a difference in not only emotional wellness, but also in their academic success.
Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.
adult Mental Health First Aid & youth Mental Health First Aid are intended for all people (18 years or older) and organizations that make up the fabric of a community, including hospitals, nursing homes, parent organizations, social clubs, faith community, chambers of commerce, professional associations, rotary clubs, and professionals who regularly interact with people (such as police officers, human resource directors, and primary care workers).
WHO SHOULD TAKE youth MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
- Parents
- Teachers & School Staff
- Coaches
- Social Workers
- Faith Leaders
- Camp counselors
- Youth group leaders
- People who work with youth
WHO SHOULD TAKE adult MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
- Employers
- Police officers
- Hospital staff
- First responders
- Faith leaders
- Community members
- Caring individuals
- Higher Education educators & college students
Instructors may specialize in providing the course to groups such as: Public safety, Higher education, Military families, and Rural audiences.
- Course is taught by certified instructors.
- Participants receive a 3 year certification upon completion.
- Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and encourage them to access support resources.
- Course provides an opportunity to practice — through role plays, scenarios, and activities — makes it easier to apply these skills in a real-life situation.
- An overview of local mental health resources, support groups, and other help are provided.
- A resource manual is provided and packed with information on all topics covered in the course
- Mental Health First Aiders learn a single "ALGEE" 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Let us know if you would like to coordinate a private class for 30 people to train in your organization, church, or group. The adult course is available in both English and Spanish.
youth MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
- Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. It is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to support an adolescent (grades 5th-12th) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
- The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches the ALGEE action plan.
- WHAT IT COVERS
- Common signs and symptoms of mental illnesses in this age group, including:
Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders, Attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), disorders in which psychosis may occur - Common signs and symptoms of substance use.
- How to interact with an adolescent in crisis.
- How to connect the adolescent with help.
- Common signs and symptoms of mental illnesses in this age group, including:
adult MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
- Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
- Teaches a person the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem.
- Teaches a person how to apply the ALGEE action plan in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing:
- Panic attacks
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions)
- Overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use
- Reaction to a traumatic event
- WHAT IT COVERS
- The training allows for early detection and intervention by teaching participants about the signs and symptoms of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and addictions.
- Teaches how to interact with a person in crisis.
- Teaches how to connect the person with help.
- NEW: How to administer naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose.
Teen Mental Health is now being piloted in the U.S. and we hope to bring it to Santa Barbara soon.
The 3.5-hour teen MHFA Course teaches high school students in years 10-12, how to provide mental health first aid to their friends. This course is not a therapy or support group, rather it is an education course for adolescents to learn how to give mental health first aid to peers. Curriculum overview includes... (1) Look for warning signs. (2) Ask their friend how they are. (3) Listen up — teens learn how to really listen in a way that will really open the conversation. (4) Connect with an adult. (5) Recognize the importance of their friendship.
- Mental health first-aid kit: Lady Gaga is working on high school program to reduce stigma READ ARTICLE >
Upcoming Classes & Registration
Youth Mental Health First Aid will be offered monthly from Goleta to Carpinteria. SIGN UP early because courses will fill up. Let us know if you would like to coordinate a private class for 30 people to train in your organization, church, or group. The course is available in both English and Spanish. PRINT FLYER [ENGLISH] >> PRINT FLYER [SPANISH] >>
CHOOSE YOUR DATE BELOW TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION.
REGISTRATION
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: JAN 11, 2020
- TIME: 8:00AM-4:30pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Bishop Diego Garcia High School
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
REGISTRATION
- If you are interested in taking this training but are not staff, please email us directly at education@youthwell.org.
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: JAN 14, 2020
- TIME: 8:00AM-4:30pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Santa Maria Bonita School District Office
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
**THIS CLASS IS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY**
REGISTRATION
- CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE >>
- or PRINT FORM and mail to: Mental Wellness Center, 617 Garden St, SB CA 93101
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: FEB 1, 2020
- TIME: 8:30AM-5:00pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Waypoint Church, 3942 La Colina Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- -
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
**THIS CLASS IS OPEN TO STAFF OF LOMPOC SCHOOL DISTRICT & PARENTS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS**
REGISTRATION
- CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE >>
- or PRINT FORM and mail to: Mental Wellness Center, 617 Garden St, SB CA 93101
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: FEB 4, 2020
- TIME: 8:00AM-4:30pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Lompoc Unified School District, 1301 North A St, Lompoc, CA 93436
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- -
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
REGISTRATION
- If you are interested in taking this training but are not staff, please email us directly at education@youthwell.org.
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: MARCH 25, 2020
- TIME: 8:00AM-4:30pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Santa Maria Bonita School District Office
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
REGISTRATION
- CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE >>
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: APRIL 4, 2020
- TIME: 8:30AM-5:00pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Lompoc - location TBD
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
REGISTRATION
- If you are interested in taking this training in SPANISH, please email us directly at education@youthwell.org.
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: APRIL 4, 2020
- TIME: 8:30AM-5:00pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Lompoc Dorothy Jackson Family Resource Center
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
**THIS CLASS IS ONLY OPEN TO STAFF OF LOMPOC SCHOOL DISTRICT & PARENTS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS**
REGISTRATION
- CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE >> [Reg opens Feb 10, 2019]
- or PRINT FORM and mail to: Mental Wellness Center, 617 Garden St, SB CA 93101
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: APRIL 29, 2020
- TIME: 8:00AM-4:30pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Lompoc Unified School District, 1301 North A St, Lompoc, CA 93436
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- -
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
REGISTRATION
- If you are interested in taking this training but are not staff, please email us directly at education@youthwell.org.
CLASS DETAILS
- DATE: AUGUST 10, 2020
- TIME: 8:00AM-4:30pm [30 min lunch break]
- LOCATION: Santa Maria Bonita School District Office
- SPACES AVAILABLE: 40 *MUST BE OVER 18
- LANGUAGE: English speaking
- COST: $0 [value $70] lunch provided
- CONTACT: education@youthwell.org or 805.884.8440
We are excited to provide this certification course for free. We ask that you please commit to being there when you sign up or that you give 48 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can give the space to someone else.
If this class is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email education@youthwell.org. There is also an option to add to the waitlist on the EventBrite online registration.
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
We are working on our calendar of Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings for 2019 so stay tuned.
Let us know if you would like to coordinate a private class for 30 people to train in your organization, church, or group. The adult course is available in both English and Spanish.
Past Trainings...
TRAINING HANDOUTS
A few people have requested handouts of things we have talked about at the trainings. Feel free to print any of these. These are local handouts and not specific to the Mental Health Health First Aid.
- Local mental health resources
- Communication & Active Listening tips handout
- How are you feeling today? - Emotions list
- Tip for Navigating Digital Devices with youth
- Protocol examples: SB Unified • UCSB
- Press Release - CA Bill - SB-428
SB 428 Aims to Tackle California’s Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis
WEBSITES
- MHMYouth.org: Mental Health Facts
- MHMYouth.org/self-care: Self Care
Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings have been held...
- Dec 1, 2018
- Jan 12, 2019
- Jan 31-Feb 2, 2019 - Instructor Training Course
- Feb 13-14, 2019 - Faith based community
- Feb 25-26, 2019 - 2 classes School Admin
- Mar 2, 2019
- Mar 9, 2019 - Spanish
- Mar 12-13, 2019
- Mar 16, 2019
- Apr 12, 2019
- May 18, 2019
- June 11, 2019 SBUSD staff
- June 19, 2019 SYV
- July 29, 2019 FSA & Providers
- Aug 7, 2019 Guadalupe
- Aug 13, 2019 AOK Staff
- Aug 22, 2019 CUSD Staff
- Sept 7, 2019 Community
- Oct 7, 2019 SYV School Districts
- Nov 5, 2019 Lompoc Unified School District
Provided by... Family Service Agency, Mental Wellness Center, YouthWell Coalition, SAMHSA
Thank you!
Through a SAMHSA grant, Family Service Agency (FSA), Mental Wellness Center (MWC), and the YouthWell Coalition are able to provide more community education around mental health as a way to support youth in our community.
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