Youth Mental Health First Aid

Training Name

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Training Description

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach adults who interact with young adults how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges or crisis in an adolescent. Participants will learn how to provide initial support until the young adults can be connected to appropriate professional help. The course introduces common mental health challenges for young adults and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. This evidence-based, early-intervention course is administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Training Type

In-person One-time Workshop

Training Topic

Providing mental health support to young adults in crisis

Training Learning Objectives

• Recognize Early Warning Signs: Identify common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD) and substance use disorders in children and adolescents.
• Apply the Action Plan (ALGEE): Utilize the 5-step action plan—Assess, Listen, Give reassurance, Encourage professional help, and Encourage self-help—in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
• Handle Crisis Situations: Effectively intervene in scenarios involving suicidal behavior, panic attacks, severe bullying, or drug overdose.
• Understand Youth Development: Explain the impact of trauma, violence, bullying, and social media on adolescent mental health.
• Reduce Stigma: Increase awareness of mental health issues and decrease negative attitudes, promoting a supportive environment for young adults.
• Connect to Care: Identify local professional, peer, and community resources to help young adults connect with appropriate care.
• Practice Self-Care: Learn techniques to maintain personal wellness while supporting a young person in distress.

Training Syllabus / Curriculum

• Understanding Youth Mental Health: Learn about common mental health challenges affecting young people and how they impact development, behavior, and wellbeing.
• Recognizing Warning Signs: Identify early signs and symptoms of mental health concerns in adolescents.
• Common Mental Health Challenges: Gain an overview of conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related concerns, and substance use.
• Responding to Mental Health Crises: Learn how to recognize and respond to situations such as panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and severe emotional distress.
• The Youth Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE): Learn a practical, step-by-step framework for supporting a young person experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.
• Connecting Youth to Support: Understand how to encourage professional help and connect young people with appropriate resources.
• Reducing Stigma & Supporting Wellbeing: Build confidence in having supportive conversations and creating environments that promote young adults mental health.

Instructor Information

Lauren Bard

Health Resources in Action (HRiA)

Lauren Bard is a senior training manager on the training and capacity building team at Health Resources in Action (HRiA). She works on the BEST Initiative and Youth Worker Certification program, as well as the Behavioral Health and Racial Equity (BeHere) Training project. Lauren has many years of experience supporting young people and families in the City of Boston. Before joining HRiA, she ran young adults development programs in the arts, athletics, young adults employment, and previously worked in drop-out prevention, transitional living, and the juvenile justice system. Lauren is a senior training consultant for gender-based violence prevention through Northeastern's Center for the Study of Sport in Society and has facilitated sex education and pregnancy prevention programming while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras. Lauren is a licensed social worker and holds degrees in criminal justice from Northeastern University, where she focused on young adults development and restorative practices.