WJCS Mental Health First Aid Trainings

The skyrocketing statistics for depression, anxiety, and suicide in the United States are frightening and necessitate that we do everything possible to increase knowledge and awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. WJCS is committed to this goal and conducts trainings in Mental Health First Aid to educate parents, teachers, coaches, camp staff, teens, first responders, case management workers, and others about how to recognize mental illness and get the appropriate help. Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized, evidence-based training. There are three versions of the training, all of which WJCS offers:

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID is for adults who work with and are connected to youth, including teachers, school staff, coaches, youth group leaders, parents, and first responders. It enables participants to know and recognize the warning signs of mental health problems and substance use disorders in adolescents. It does not teach adults to diagnose or to provide treatment to adolescents but instead arms them with the skills they need to reach out and give initial support to those who are developing a mental health or substance use problem and help them connect to the appropriate care.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID is a peer-to-peer training program specifically designed for teens in grades 10-12. This program was developed in response to critical mental health needs of young people and research indicating that young people have a preference for sharing problems with peers, but that their friends do not always have the knowledge or skills to help. It teaches young people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders among their friends. It also gives them the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and get a responsible and trusted adult to take over as necessary. This course is designed to be delivered in schools or community sites by a trained instructor in three interactive classroom sessions of 90 minutes each or six sessions of 45 minutes each.

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID is targeted to supporting adults who are experiencing mental health challenges or crises. The supportive first aid is given until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves.

Since 2013, WJCS has been a driving force in the Mental Health First Aid initiative. Our expert trainers have trained more than 2,000 participants.

To learn more about this invaluable opportunity and arrange a WJCS Mental Health First Aid Training in your community, please contact: Caitlin Leon at [email protected].