Mental Health First Aid & QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings in Santa Barbara
why mental health education matters
Our trainings empower teens, parents, educators, first responders, and caring adults with practical tools to build a safe, supportive community.
Knowledge builds confidence.
Participants learn what to say, what to do, and how to connect someone to help when they’re struggling.
Trusted adults make a difference.
The #1 protective factor in youth mental health is a trusted adult, and through our programs, both adults and teens learn to support one another.
Together, we’re saving lives.
In 2025, YouthWell and Family Service Agency (FSA) trained over 900 adults and students through 48 life-saving sessions, strengthening our community’s capacity for prevention and care.
training options in Santa Barbara County
QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer
(2-Year Certification)
FREE 2-hour suicide prevention training teaching you to:
• Recognize the warning signs of suicide.
• Ask direct, compassionate questions.
• Persuade someone to get help.
• Refer them to community resources in Santa Barbara County.
We can also customize a one-hour session for your group’s needs, covering active listening skills, self-care practices, and role-play scenarios.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
(3-Year Certification) • English & Spanish
FREE 6.5-hour course designed for adults (18+) who work or live with youth ages 12–18.
• Identify and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges
• Recognize warning signs and respond with a 5-step action plan.
• Support youth in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
• Topics include anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders.
• Offered in-person or blended virtual
Spanish Trainings Available by Request
Formaciones en español disponibles bajo solicitud.
YouthWell offers Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) in Spanish upon request.
If your organization would like to host a Spanish-language session, please contact Ashley at MHTraining@YouthWell.org to schedule.
Formaciones en español disponibles bajo solicitud.
Comuníquese con Ashley at MHTraining@YouthWell.org para más información o para coordinar una capacitación para su grupo.
upcoming trainings
For parents and adults (18+) who want to learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, start a conversation, and connect someone to help.
Designed for those who work with or care for youth ages 12–18, but the skills can be used to support anyone in crisis.
Want to build skills to help someone in crisis?
YMHFA for Adults [18+]
YMHFA para adultos [18+]
Learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in young people. Want to build skills to support youth mental health?
Aprenda a identificar, comprender y responder a las señales de problemas de salud mental y uso de sustancias en los jóvenes. ¿Quiere desarrollar habilidades para apoyar la salud mental juvenil?
UPCOMING TRAININGS
DATE: NOV 1 - 9am - 2:30pm
**REG Deadline: October 24th**
LOCATION: Community Training; BLENDED ZOOM Jatzibe & Raquel
DATE: FEB 1, 2026 - 1pm - 6:30pm
**REG Deadline: January 18th**
LOCATION: Community Training; BLENDED ZOOM Jatzibe & Raquel
DATE: FEB 3, 2026 - 9am - 4pm
LOCATION: SBCEO • SM [all staff from Santa Barbara County School are invited to register] Ashley
DATE: JULY 11, 2026 - 9am - 4pm
LOCATION: Community Training; In-Person Santa Barbara Jatzibe & Raquel
For teens in grades 9-12
Peer support skills
Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) and Teen QPR (tQPR) teach you how to recognize when a friend may be struggling with mental health, substance use, or suicidal thoughts, and how to connect them with help.
Open to students in grades 9–12 (ages 14–18), these trainings provide students with the tools to support their peers and create a safer, more caring community. Whether you’re a student or an adult bringing this to a school or youth group, tMHFA and tQPR provide practical, evidence-based skills that save lives.
Would you like to bring this training to your class, club, or school?
UPCOMING TRAININGS
DATE: NOV 3 - 10:40am - 12:00pm
LOCATION: SMHS • Health Careers Academy [private] Michelle
DATE: DEC 6 - 9:30am - 4pm
LOCATION: Healing Justice SB BSU [private] Ashley
DATE: MAY 28, 2026 - 9am - 3pm
LOCATION: DPHS [private]
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Wellness Peers
Santa Ynez Valley High School
CAUSE 805 & YAB
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Wellness Staff
Community Training
AHA!
Community Training
Youth Advocacy Board
completed trainings & community partners
YouthWell partners with schools, agencies, and community organizations across Santa Barbara County to make prevention education accessible to all.
PAST TRAININGS
DATE: OCT 15, 2025
LOCATION: Congregation B'nai B'rith
DATE: OCT 14, 2025
LOCATION: SBCEO Safety Symposium
DATE: SAT, SEPT 20
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: JUNE 24, 2025
LOCATION: Deckers
DATE: JUNE 17, 2025
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: JUNE 3, 2025
LOCATION: DUNN School
DATE: APR 24, 2025
LOCATION: CA Men's Colony
DATE: APR 5, 2025
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: MAR 18, 2025
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: MAR 19, 2025 [SPANISH]
LOCATION: Fitzgerald School
DATE: MAR 5, 2025
LOCATION: Fitzgerald School
DATE: FEB 27, 2025
LOCATION: CAUSE 805
DATE: JAN 14, 2025
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: DEC 13, 2024
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: NOV 22, 2024
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: NOV 20, 2024
LOCATION: Active Minds
DATE: OCT 19, 2024
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: JUNE 4, 2024
LOCATION: Decker's Explore Week
DATE: MAY 21, 2024
LOCATION: Zoom
DATE: MAY 3, 2024
LOCATION: Fusion Academy
DATE: APR 16, 2024
LOCATION: SBMS
DATE: APR 9, 2024
LOCATION: Zoom SBCEO
DATE/TIME: APR 3, 2024
LOCATION: Zoom
DATE: JAN 12, 2024
LOCATION: One Community Action
DATE: MAR 6, 2024
LOCATION: Allan Hancock College SM
DATE: OCT 26, 2024
LOCATION: CBB
DATE: AUG 21, 2024
LOCATION: Allan Hancock College SM
PAST TRAININGS
DATE: Sept 13, 2025
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: Aug 22, 2025
LOCATION: Lompoc Unified School District
DATE: July 26, 2025
LOCATION: Community Zoom
DATE: JUNE 18, 2025
LOCATION: Amplify Arts Project
DATE: JUNE 10, 2025
LOCATION: CATE School
DATE: JAN 31, 2025
LOCATION: Corazon del Pueblo
DATE: JAN 14, 2025
LOCATION: YouthWell
DATE: NOV 9, 2024
LOCATION: Community Zoom
DATE: OCT 11, 2024
LOCATION: SBCEO / Anacapa
DATE: AUG 31, 2024
LOCATION: MICOP (Spanish Training)
DATE: JUNE 14, 2024
LOCATION: Community ZOOM
DATE: JUNE 11, 2024
LOCATION: IN-PERSON @ CATE School
FECHA: 25, 2024 DE MAYO
UBICACION: One Community Action
DATE: APR 27, 2024
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: MAR 4, 2024
LOCATION: AHA Santa Barbara
DATE: MAR 1, 2024
LOCATION: YouthWell Office
DATE: FEB 24, 2024
LOCATION: SMJUHSD
DATE: JAN 26, 2024 - BHI
LOCATION: YouthWell Office
DATE: JAN 8 2024, 2024
LOCATION: Guadalupe School District
DATE: DEC 20, 2023
LOCATION: One Community Action
PAST TRAININGS
DATE: OCT 3, 2025
LOCATION: Dunn School
DATE: SEPT 26, 2025
LOCATION: SMJUHSD
DATE: SEPT 20, 2025
LOCATION: SYVHS
DATE: SEPT 6, 2025
LOCATION: ZOOM
DATE: AUG 22, 2025
LOCATION: Cate School
DATE: JUNE 16, 2025
LOCATION: teen QPR
DATE: JUNE 14, 2025
LOCATION: Santa Maria • tMHFA
DATE: JUNE 7, 2025
LOCATION: YouthWell Office Santa Barbara • tMHFA
DATE: MAY 29, 2025
LOCATION: DPHS
DATE: MAY 28, 2025
LOCATION: Dos Puertas Juvenile Hall
DATE: MAY 14, 2025
LOCATION: CATE
DATE: APRIL 29, 2025
LOCATION: CAUSE 805 Santa Maria
DATE: APRIL 25, 2025
LOCATION: Middle College
DATE: APRIL 18, 2025
LOCATION: San Marcos High School
DATE: MAR 26, 2025
LOCATION: Fitzgerald School
DATE: MAR 27, 2025
LOCATION: Fitzgerald School
DATE: FEB 1, 2025
LOCATION: North County Youth Advisory Board & Partnering Organizations
DATE: JAN 24, 2025
LOCATION: SMJUHSD
DATE: JAN 20, 2025
LOCATION: Countywide ZOOM
DATE: JAN 5, 2025
LOCATION: South County Youth Advisory Board & Partnering Organizations
DATE: NOV 2024
LOCATION: Health Careers Academy
DATE: NOV 2024
LOCATION: Santa Barbara High School
DATE: MAY 30, 2024
LOCATION: Dos Pueblos High School
DATE: MAY 2024
LOCATION: CATE School
DATE: APR 2024
LOCATION: SYV People Helping People
DATE: JAN 2024
LOCATION: San Marcos High School, Health Careers Academy
DATE: NOV 2024
LOCATION: Midland Charter School
DATE: NOV 2024
LOCATION: Santa Barbara High School Health Class
DATE: OCT
LOCATION: Youth Advisory Board
Thank you!
Through a SAMHSA grant, Family Service Agency (FSA) and YouthWell are able to provide more community education around mental health as a way to support youth in our community.