Youth Mental Health Support Trainings and Resources for Parents and Caregivers From the Cambridge Public Health Department

In honor of Mental Health Month, the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) encourages parents, guardians, caregivers, and all who work with youth to take action to support the mental health of young people in our community. Many teens in Cambridge struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health challenges. It can be hard to know how to respond and be there to support the young people in your life. CPHD offers training opportunities to help you learn more about common mental health concerns and what to do to help them navigate this time in their life.

Training options include:

• Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA): YMHFA teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. This is a comprehensive training program that is typically completed over a full day or across multiple sessions.
• Teen Mental Health 101: this short training teaches parents/caregivers about the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and how to start a conversation with teens about their mental health.
• Cambridge Caregiver’s Guide: this training focuses on youth substance misuse prevention and how to talk to teens about substance use. Key points from the guide will be covered and participants will have the opportunity to build their confidence and conversation skills.

Please refer to the Youth Mental Health Support Trainings page for more information about each of these trainings.