Mental Health First Aid - Youth Certification

Issued by Merrimack College

Merrimack College Mental Health First Aid for Youth is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. This 6-hour training teaches adults who work with youth techniques to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

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), and eating disorders. Participants learn a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
Participants engage in dialogue 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 other support and self-help strategies.

Standards

Research & Evidence Base

Mental Health First Aid is an international training program proven to be effective. Studies also show that the program reduces the social distance created by negative attitudes and perceptions of individuals with mental illnesses.