Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training in Santa Barbara

Learn to recognize the signs. Learn what to say. Learn how to help.

One in five young people will experience a mental health challenge before they turn 18. Most of the adults around them, teachers, coaches, neighbors, aunts, uncles, front desk staff, will never get trained on what to do about it. This training changes that.

What Is Youth Mental Health First Aid?

Youth Mental Health First Aid (yMHFA) is a nationally recognized, evidence-based certification that teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in young people ages 12 to 18. You don’t need a clinical background. You need to show up.

By the end of the training, you’ll walk away with:

• A simple, memorable action plan (ALGEE) for responding in the moment
• The ability to recognize early warning signs of anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use
• Real language for starting hard conversations with a young person, without making it weird
• A certification that’s valid for three years

Who Should Attend

This training is open to the public. If a young person is part of your life or your work, this is for you: parents, grandparents, coaches, youth pastors, front office staff, mentors, neighbors, and anyone who wants to be someone a kid can turn to.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, September 12th Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm Location: 602 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA Cost: FREE

Seats are limited, and this training tends to fill up. Reserve your spot early.

Why This Matters in Santa Barbara County

Mental health challenges don’t wait for someone to have the “right” credentials before they show up. They show up at the dinner table, on the sidelines, in the carpool line. YouthWell has trained hundreds of Central Coast adults to be that steady, informed presence for the young people in their lives, and we’d love for you to be next.

Ready to be someone’s person? Register to hold your seat.