Mental Health First Aid & QPR Training
Join the movement in Santa Barbara County to strengthen our community because we can all be more aware and informed.
calendar of trainings
Training empowers teens, parents, educators, first-responders, and other caring adults with tools and strategies to create a safe and caring community. The #1 protective factor in youth mental health is a trusted adult. You can be that trusted adult who is trained with skills and knowledge about what to do and what to say. Trainings are hosted by FSA and YouthWell. CONTACT MHTraining@YouthWell.org for more information or fill out our TRAINING INQUIRY FORM.
Mental Health First Aid is a FREE 6.5 hour certification course that teaches community members how to help a someone who may be developing a mental health challenge, experiencing or coping with a worsening mental health challenge or substance abuse disorder. Participants learn how to recognize, understand and respond appropriately to signs of mental health challenges of varying intensity as well as substance use disorders. (3 year certification)
QPR [Question, Persuade, and Refer ] is a FREE 2 hour suicide prevention training for participants to be able to recognize the warning signs of suicide and question, persuade, and refer people at risk for suicide for help and learn about local community resources in Santa Barbara County. (2 year certification)
mental health first aid
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid [MHFA] helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.
YOUTH Mental Health First Aid [Y-MHFA]is a comprehensive training 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 youth mental illness and substance use disorders. The 6.5 hour training can be done via Zoom or in-person. Upon completion, you will be certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
TEEN Mental Health First Aid [tMHFA] teaches high school students (10th-12th grade) about common mental health challenges and what they can do to support their own mental health and help a friend who is struggling. It’s equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to foster their own wellness and to support each other.
ADULT Mental Health First Aid is for 18 years and older. Hosted by the Mental Wellness Center >
REGISTER: Youth Mental Health First Aid is FREE and is offered monthly throughout Santa Barbara County. SIGN UP > Let us know if you would like to coordinate a private class for 20 people to train in your organization, church, or group. The course is available in English and Spanish. CONTACT MHTraining@YouthWell.org
View YouthWell Community Calendar or BeTheDifferenceSB.org for upcoming classes.
QPR training
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR is a suicide prevention training for participants to be able to recognize the warning signs of suicide and question, persuade, and refer people at risk for suicide for help. QPR can be learned in as little as one hour and you will receive a certificate that is active for 2 years.
Gatekeepers trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.
Gatekeepers can be anyone, but include parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide.
As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper you will learn to:
- Recognize the warning signs of suicide
- Know how to offer hope
- Know how to get help and save a life
REGISTER: QPR is FREE and is offered monthly throughout Santa Barbara County. SIGN UP > Let us know if you would like to coordinate a private class for 20 people to train in your organization, church, or group. The course is available in English and Spanish. CONTACT MHTraining@YouthWell.org
View YouthWell Community Calendar or BeTheDifferenceSB.org for upcoming classes.
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.