HCPS Offering Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to Community
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (March 4, 2019) – Henderson County Public Schools is inviting community partners, faith-based leaders, medical providers, parents, and other concerned individuals to register for a Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training on Monday, April 1, at Mills River Academy.
Led by certified HCPS student services staff, YMHFA will help participants recognize, understand and support young people, co-workers, family, and friends facing a behavioral health concern or crisis.
Designed by the National Council for Behavioral Health to assist adults caring for young people at home, at school, at camp, at church, and in the community, YMHFA begins with a survey of the most common conditions facing youth, such as ADHD, anxiety and depression disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicide. Participants learn to see the related signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with mental illness, protect youth by establishing safe spaces and positive relationships, and intervene to help keep children, their families and others safe.
This community-focused training in April is follows comprehensive YMHFA and Trauma-Sensitive Schools trainings for child- and family-focused organizations that HCPS offered earlier this year, and is part of the district’s broader goal of building support networks for children and youth in the community.
Matt Gruebmeyer, HCPS Director of Student Services, said, “Those who work with children and young adults recognize that the road to success for our youth often requires that we build bridges over the mental health and trauma-oriented challenges they face.”
Cost to participants is $20 for the required manual. Space is limited, so registration at this link is required: goo.gl/gmxfB4 .
Mills River Academy is located at 96 School House Road, Mills River.
