WVU Youth Mental Health First Aid-Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Important?
- 1 in 5 youth in the United States will have a mental disorder that significantly impacts their life.
- 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by the mid-20's.
- 10.2% of youth will be diagnosed with a substance use disorder in their lifetime
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults.
What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?
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.
What is covered in the Youth Mental Health First Aid training?
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.
What does the WVU YMHFA Team provide?
- Two certified YMHFA co-instructors per course
- One YMHFA manual for each participant
- One digital YMHFA participant processing guide for each participant
- Resources to assist in referring youth for the help that they need
- Light snacks
- Each participant will receive a free youth mental health toolkit comprised of resources (e.g., stress balls, calm down kits) they can utilize in the classroom setting to help deescalate youth.
- Free Youth Mental Health First Aid certification upon satisfactory course completion (trainings typically cost $170 per participant)
- A free thumb drive containing supplemental resources related to recognizing signs of mental illness in youth and adolescents (1 thumb drive per participant)
- Per grant year, 5 individuals who receive the YMHFA training will also receive free Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor training (a $2,200 value). This will allow them to provide YMHFA in their respective school communities and beyond.
What are the expectations for those who receive the YMHFA Training?
- Use the proven 5-step action plan provided during the training to assist youth experiencing difficulties such as mental illness and substance use disorders.
- Track any referrals to made to help youth connect with appropriate care.
- Help reduce mental health stigma and normalize mental health conversations.
- Be the one to make a difference!
Is the training free?
The training is offered for free to public school districts in West Virginia. Given the demand, availability may be limited.
How long is the training?
Trainings require 8 hours to facilitate. A typical training occurs from 8:00am-4:00pm. Please note that this eight-hour window includes two 10-minute breaks and a 30-minute lunch break.
What is a typical class size?
Class sizes range from 25-30 individuals. School districts interested in training more than 30 employees (for example, during a professional development day) are encouraged to complete the interest survey as we may be able to secure additional instructors to allow us to provide simultaneous trainings.
Who should take the training?
The course is designed for adults who regularly interact with youth and adolescents (teachers, school staff, coaches, youth group leaders, parents, etc.), but is being tested for appropriateness within older adolescent groups (16 and older) so as to encourage youth peer to peer interaction. In January 2013, President Obama recommended training for teachers in Mental Health First Aid. Since 2008, the core Mental Health First Aid course has been successfully offered to more than 175,000 people across the USA, including hospital staff, employers and business leaders, faith communities, law enforcement, and the general public.
Does this training provide certification?
Yes! Upon successful completion, participants will be certified to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid. Certification is good for three years. Participants will receive a certificate confirming certification.
Who is eligible to complete the training?
All school employees in West Virginia's public schools are eligible to complete the training.
What logistical needs are there to be able to provide YMHFA?
- A room that can comfortably fit 30 occupants
- Computer with internet access and PowerPoint
- Projector
- Projecting Screen
Are there additional needs?
Yes, there are a few additional grant-specific needs. Each participant must:
- Complete a brief registration form.
- Consent to completing a brief follow-up evaluation of the YMHFA training they received (sent 3 months post-training).
- Periodically report on the number of youth referred for mental health services (via email, roughly four times per year).
I have additional questions. How do I get in contact?
Please email us at WVUYMHFAT@mail.wvu.edu.