If you saw someone choking, chances are you would know exactly what to do. If you saw someone having a panic attack, chances are you wouldn’t know what to do.

There is a real health crisis for our kids, one in five children have a diagnosable mental health challenge that can be helped with professional intervention and treatment. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a training class designed to equip teachers, nurses, coaches, and parents on how to recognize signs and respond appropriately to a child experiencing a mental health crisis.

YMHFA introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for helping young people in crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders.

Pre-class work materials will be sent to attendees prior to the training and must be completed ahead of time. Attendees who do not complete pre-class work materials will not be able to participate. To receive credit for the course, attendees must participate in the entire session. Contact Jenn Hodgden with any questions at jhodgden@tanagerplace.org.