The Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program teaches adults
how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental
health challenges in youth.
The Youth MHFA course consists of two hours of self-paced
content,* followed by 4.5 hours of instructor-led training.
As an early intervention public education
program, adults learn how to:
- Recognize signs and symptoms that may suggest youth mental
health challenges.
- Listen nonjudgmentally and give
reassurance to youth who may be experiencing a mental health
challenge.
- Refer youth to appropriate professional support
and services.
By the end of the course, participants will
be able to:
- Describe the purpose of Youth MHFA and the role of the Youth
Mental Health First Aider.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms
of potential mental health challenges in youth.
- Explain the
impact of traumatic experiences and the role of resilience on
adolescent development.
- Apply the appropriate steps of the
Youth MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to non-crisis and crisis
situations.
- Choose appropriate self-care methods following
the application of Youth MHFA in non-crisis and crisis
situations.