Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Join our FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and gain the skills to recognize early signs of mental health or substance use challenges in youth. This nationally recognized certification course teaches you how to respond with confidence, connect young people to the right support, and become a trusted adult in your community.

Training Details

• 📅 Saturday, November 1 | 9:00am–2:30pm

• 🖥️ Blended format: 2-hour self-paced + 5.5-hour Zoom

• 📝 Registration closes October 19

Why This Training Matters

One in five youth experience a mental health challenge each year. Parents, educators, first responders, and other caring adults play a crucial role in recognizing the warning signs and providing support before a crisis arises.

Research shows the #1 protective factor in youth mental health is having at least one trusted adult. This training equips you to be that adult — someone who knows what to say, how to listen, and where to connect young people for help.

YouthWell provides both Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR Suicide Prevention trainings in Santa Barbara County. Both programs are free to the community, thanks to local partnerships and funding, and both offer practical strategies, as well as certification upon completion.

What You’ll Learn in Youth MHFA

• How to identify risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use challenges

• How to approach and support a young person who may be struggling

• How to connect them with appropriate professional and community resources

• Action steps you can take to reduce stigma and promote mental wellness

• Certification valid for 3 years

Other Training Opportunities

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a 2-hour training that focuses on suicide prevention. Participants learn how to recognize warning signs, ask the right questions, and refer individuals at risk to life-saving resources. Certification is valid for 2 years.

How to Register
• Email: MHTraining@YouthWell.org
• Fill out our registration form
• View our full training schedule

Class Descriptions

• • Youth MHFA (6.5 hrs): Free certification course (18+) on recognizing, understanding, and responding to youth mental health or substance use challenges. 3-year certification. [Register >>]

  • QPR (2 hrs): Free suicide prevention training on how to question, persuade, and refer someone at risk. 2-year certification. [Register >>]