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Course Goals & Content
Course Goals & Content
The goal of the eight-hour YMHFA course is to help participants recognize when adolescents, ages 12-18, are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis, and to encourage intervention. Equipped with the information and skills provided in the YMHFA course, these "Youth Mental Health First Aiders” also help to spread the word that all community members can help by making mental wellness a topic that we talk about and respond to as naturally as we do when discussing other health concerns.
The goal of the eight-hour YMHFA course is to help participants recognize when adolescents, ages 12-18, are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis, and to encourage intervention. Equipped with the information and skills provided in the YMHFA course, these "Youth Mental Health First Aiders” also help to spread the word that all community members can help by making mental wellness a topic that we talk about and respond to as naturally as we do when discussing other health concerns.
Participants who complete the 8-hour class earn their certification in YMH First Aid. It is important to realize they are not assuming the role of trained professionals. Instead, their role is to provide initial help to struggling youth, as outlined in a process called ALGEE. ALGEE is a mnemonic device for Mental Health First Aid’s 5-step Action Plan – and the name of the program’s koala mascot:
Participants who complete the 8-hour class earn their certification in YMH First Aid. It is important to realize they are not assuming the role of trained professionals. Instead, their role is to provide initial help to struggling youth, as outlined in a process called ALGEE. ALGEE is a mnemonic device for Mental Health First Aid’s 5-step Action Plan – and the name of the program’s koala mascot:
A ssess for risk of suicide or harm
A ssess for risk of suicide or harm
L isten nonjudgmentally
L isten nonjudgmentally
G ive reassurance and information
G ive reassurance and information
E ncourage appropriate professional help
E ncourage appropriate professional help
E ncourage self-help and other support strategies
E ncourage self-help and other support strategies
Additional course information can be found here on the Mental Health First Aid website.
Additional course information can be found here on the Mental Health First Aid website.
Takeaways from MHFA:
Takeaways from MHFA:
Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
Course Delivery
Course Delivery
The course is delivered by certified Youth Mental Health First Aid USA Instructors. Since YMHFA is an evidence-based program, the training may not be modified. To ensure high-quality instructional delivery, participants from every session must complete feedback forms which are monitored by the Mental Health Association. Also, official observers provide random fidelity checks on the instructors’ delivery of instruction.
The course is delivered by certified Youth Mental Health First Aid USA Instructors. Since YMHFA is an evidence-based program, the training may not be modified. To ensure high-quality instructional delivery, participants from every session must complete feedback forms which are monitored by the Mental Health Association. Also, official observers provide random fidelity checks on the instructors’ delivery of instruction.
We have typically provided 2 to 4-course offerings each month, whereas other locations, including school divisions in the SEA Project AWARE grant, were only offering the course three or four times per year. We use Eventzilla as a user-friendly platform for participants to register for the YMHFA courses.
We have typically provided 2 to 4-course offerings each month, whereas other locations, including school divisions in the SEA Project AWARE grant, were only offering the course three or four times per year. We use Eventzilla as a user-friendly platform for participants to register for the YMHFA courses.
To meet the varying needs of participants, including educators as well as community members, we offer the YMHFA courses in a variety of formats (one full-day 8-hour course, two half-day 4-hour sessions, weekday offerings, Saturday sessions, etc.) and at a variety of venues. Providing a variety of options for when and where people could take the course has proven to be effective for reducing obstacles for persons who wanted to take the course.
To meet the varying needs of participants, including educators as well as community members, we offer the YMHFA courses in a variety of formats (one full-day 8-hour course, two half-day 4-hour sessions, weekday offerings, Saturday sessions, etc.) and at a variety of venues. Providing a variety of options for when and where people could take the course has proven to be effective for reducing obstacles for persons who wanted to take the course.
See a flier we sent to our staff to promote the upcoming available courses in September.
See a flier we sent to our staff to promote the upcoming available courses in September.
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