Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth mental health has been in the headlines and is a hot topic at schools and within families. Volunteers have asked for resources so they can be better prepared to meet the needs of our youth members.

The reality is that all of us encounter situations where people are facing mental health challenges and we need to know the best ways to talk about it and handle situations as they arise. This training will help you better understand the behaviors you see in your Girl Scout troop and give you tools you can use as well as an opportunity to practice those skills. This 8-hour certification course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. It focuses on helpful responses (and how they differ from unhelpful responses) to situations you might encounter.

Participants must be able to:

Complete 2 hours of pre-class training online at their own pace prior to the live session.

Attend the live session (virtual) from 10AM - 4:30PM (includes breaks).

Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan, ALGEE, to support someone developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis:

Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen nonjudgmentally

Give reassurance and information

Encourage appropriate professional help

Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not take on the role of professionals they do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions, like what do I do? and where can someone find help? Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors provide a list of community healthcare providers and national resources, support groups, and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. All trainees receive access to a program manual to compliment the course material.