Youth Mental Health Support Trainings

Overview 

Do you want to support any youth who are going through a mental health crisis or dealing with mental health challenges? Below are some free trainings to help: 

Youth Mental Health First Aid 

The Cambridge Public Health Department Youth Wellness Team offers free Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training to:

  • Parents and guardians
  • Teachers, guidance counselors, and other school faculty and staff
  • Out-of-School Time (OST) Providers
  • Anyone who works with or cares for young people

When receiving this training, participants will learn:

  • Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges affecting young people ages 12-18, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges
  • How to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
  • How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis
  • How to connect young people with help
  • Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying

YMHFA can be delivered virtually or in-person depending on your group’s needs. Options for setting up the training include:

  • In-person – Learners receive their training during a 6.5-hour, Instructor-led, in-person session.
  • Blended – Learners complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course, and participate in a 4.5- to 5.5-hour, Instructor-led training. This instructor-led training can be:
    • A video conference
    • An in-person class

Teen Mental Health 101 and Cambridge Caregiver’s Guide Presentation

We have some shorter training options available for parents, caregivers, and other adults who work with young people. Teen Mental Health 101 teaches parents/caregivers about the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and how to start a conversation with teens about their mental health. We also offer another training that provides an overview of the key points from the Parent Cambridge Caregiver’s Guide to Prevent Youth Substance Use & Promote Wellbeing (see Resources on the side of the webpage), which focuses on youth substance misuse prevention and building communication skills and confidence in talking about substance use with young people. Please reach out for more information about these training opportunities.

 

Updated: May 15, 2024