Curriculum: Youth Mental Health First Aid

Format: In-person at Pao Arts Center (99 Albany St, Boston, MA 02111)(2 hour self-paced pre-work online required)

Language: English

Target: Anyone age 18 and older

Cost: Free! Lunch will be provided, plus $25 gift card after completion of the training and post survey!

Commitment: **This is an in-person training that requires you to complete a 2-hour, self-paced pre-work prior to the Instructor-led training. Please complete the pre-work prior to May 16, 2023.

Space is limited! **Please make sure you can attend the pre-work and full training before you sign up. (Max. 20 participants. If the reservation exceeds the maximum count, we will put you on the waitlist; our staff will contact you when there is an available spot.)

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:

Depression and Anxiety
Substance use
Psychosis
Disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD)
Eating disorders

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.

Interventions Learned:

When you take a course, you learn how to apply the Youth Mental Health First Aid action plan in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing:

Panic attacks
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Non-suicidal self-injury
Acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions)
Overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use

The opportunity to practice — through role plays, scenarios, and activities — makes it easier to apply these skills in a real-life situation.

Contact: Megan Fu: megan.fu@bcnc.net or Angel Chan: angel.chan@bcnc.net

Opportunity to participate in a research study: You are invited to participate in the study of Mental Health Conditions & Care Needs in Asian Communities in Greater Boston conducted by Tufts Medical Center.

This study is separate from the MHFA training so you can still participate in the MHFA training even if you do not participate in this study. You will receive $30 if you choose to participate in the research study ($15 for surveys and $15 for focus group) in compensation for your time and participation in the study.

To learn more, click: https://app.box.com/s/3llg7o102ve2jao3mty6m4ww5jywkn50 . To sign up for the research study , please contact Min Kyung “MK” Kim, Tufts Research Associate, at mhfa@tuftsmedicine.org or call 617-636-6355

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training