WVU's Master of Arts in counseling program was awarded a five-year $500,000 federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide complimentary Youth Mental Health First Aid training to public school staff across the state of West Virginia.
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 include anxiety,
depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior
disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. Trainings are in-person and
last approximately 8 hours.
Through our efforts, we will accomplish the following:
- Provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training to at least 625 school personnel in West Virginia
- Provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training to at least 20 public schools in West Virginia
- Provide complimentary Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor training to at least 20 public school teachers in West Virginia, thereby creating sustained school cultures that are sensitive to youth mental health needs and mental illness