Mental Health First Aid - Youth Certification

Issued by Calvin University

Earners of the Mental Health First Aid - Youth Certification badge have completed a 10-hour training with online sessions, a face-to-face workshop, and assessments. Earners have learned risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help a child or adolescent (6-18) in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help until appropriate professionals intervene or the crisis is resolved, using a practical, evidence-based action plan.

Type Certification
Level Foundational
Time Hours
Cost Paid

Additional Details

Skills

Earning Criteria

Mental Health First Aid for Youths teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), social media impacts, eating disorders, and trauma. Participants learn a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
Participants engage in discussions to learn common signs and symptoms of substance use and how to respond. Participants learn how to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis and how to connect the person with the appropriate help.
Participants learn content on trauma, addiction and self-care and the impact of social media and bullying on youth.
Participants learn how to apply the ALGEE Action Plan, which teaches techniques to assess interactions for risk of suicide or harm, listen non-judgmentally, give reassurance and information, encourage appropriate professional help, and encourage self-help strategies and other support strategies.

Standards

Research & Evidence Base

The Mental Health First Aid program, recognized internationally, has a proven track record of effectiveness. Research indicates that the program increases individuals' knowledge of mental health challenges and diminishes the social distance caused by negative attitudes and perceptions towards people with mental illnesses.