Westchester Only - Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a certification course through the National Council of Behavioral Health that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds an understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help adolescents in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. This course was recently revised and is now offered as a combination of a 2-hour self-paced online course plus a ~4 - hour synchronous training over Zoom. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis, select intervention, provide initial help, and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help. The Jewish Education Project will provide Jewish framing, considerations related to our Jewish communities, and used adapted scenarios applicable to those working in Jewish Youth settings.

The course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, ADHD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorders.

*This is a certificate program. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling- rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of mental illness or in an emotional crisis by applying a core five-step action plan.

Participants must complete mandatory pre-work to the training at least 5 days prior to the training (by February 12th, 2021).

Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ET

Fee: Free

This training is made possible through Westchester Jewish Community Services and funding from UJA and Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health.