Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. Anyone can take the 8-hour course, but it is ideally designed for adults who work with young people, ages 12-18, teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities, social workers, and other caring citizens.
These trainings are held at the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO, unless requested at a different location. The training is free (valued at $170 per person), and lunch is provided.
Developed to decrease the incidence of suicide among adolescents, the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program will instill knowledge and an adaptive attitude about depression to its participants. The SOS Program is designed in a way that encourages help-seeking for oneself or on behalf of a friend. The program reduces the stigmas associated with mental health and causes engagement among parents and school faculty to become partners in prevention.
*Each component varies in time and can range from 1 to 4 hours, typically.
Acknowledge: that you are seeing signs of depression or suicide in a friend and that it is serious.
Care: let your friend know that you care about them and that you are concerned that he/she needs help that you cannot provide.
Tell: a trusted adult that you are worried about your friend.
Please contact the Southeast Prevention Resource Center for more information, questions, and/or to register for a training at (573) 651-5153 and/or (573) 651-5081
Contact
ajansen@semo.edu
573-651-5081