Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. Roughly 1.5 hours of online pre-work will need to be completed before the in-person training. Registration is required to register you must email bnash@westfordma.gov for the next steps. Once all required work is completed you will receive a certificate in Youth Mental Health First Aid. This training is brought to you free of charge based on community partnerships and current grant funding. 

This training is evidence-based to learn more you can go to: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/29702ae8/8rLpFrR4Lkin9L2BZjs_Cw?u=https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Please email bnash@westfordma.gov to register!