Mental Health First Aid for Youth is an early intervention public education program. It teaches adults who work with youth how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health or substance use problem, how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a problem. Participants will receive a MHFA manual and a participant processing guide, which is a blueprint for providing comfort, promoting recovery, and helping to reduce distress related to stressful situations, trauma and crisis. Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people with signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connects them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. Participants vary widely and include social workers, primary and long-term care professionals, law enforcement and first responders, school personnel, educators, employers, parents, guardians, consumers, faith communities, mental health advocacy organizations, state policymakers, and the general public. The Youth Mental First Aid program helps participants learn to be a better advocate and improve self-care. The actions a Youth Mental Health First Aider takes can be the first steps in a youth’s recovery journey.

Location: Northern Lakes Community Mental Health; 527 Cobb St, Cadillac, MI 49601