Youth Mental Health First Aid 

 

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Fee: $30.00

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and most importantly – teaches individuals how to help a youth in crisis or experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS LEARN?
The course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn a core five-step action plan to support an adolescent developing signs and symptoms of mental illness or in an emotional crisis:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm

• Listen nonjudgmentally

• Give reassurance and information

• Encourage appropriate professional help

• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE?
The course is designed for adults whom regularly interact with adolescents, but may also be appropriate for older adolescents (16 and older) so as to encourage youth peer to peer interaction. Anyone who regularly works or interacts with youth – teachers, athletic coaches, mentors, juvenile justice professionals – may find the course content useful. The core Mental Health First Aid course has been successfully offered to a variety of audiences including hospital staff, employers and business leaders, faith communities, law enforcement, and the general public.

Presenter: Melanie Recchia is an Independently Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Ohio and also holds an independent Marriage and Family Therapist license in California. She is the Director of Training for Child Focus, Inc., has worked in the school-based and outpatient programs at CFI, taught a general psychology course at Southwestern College, and currently is part of a group practice in Mason, Ohio. She has over 15 years of experience working with clients on a variety of issues and challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse, marital conflict, and has extensive experience working with children and adolescents suffering from emotional and behavioral problems. Melanie is a certified instructor for Stewards of Children and Youth Mental Health First Aid as well as, QPR, a Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program and QPRT Suicide Risk Assessment and Management program.

Presenter: Lee Ann Watson, Ph.D., C.R.C., L.P.C.-S-Associate Director for Clermont County Mental Helath and Recovery Board

Continuing Education                                                                                                                                            Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists: The Child Focus, Inc. Training Center is approved through the Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board. This program is offered for 6.5 clock hours of continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. Social Work Provider#: RSX129410 Counselor Provider#: RCX029503 Marriage and Family Therapist Provider#: RTX091001                                                                                                                                                       Psychologists: The Child Focus, Inc. Training Center is approved by the Ohio Psychological Association MCE program to offer continuing education for Ohio psychologists. This program is offered for 6.5 clock hours of continuing education for psychologists. Child Focus, Inc., 00PD-3109-52668, maintains responsibility for the program.                                                                                                                           Professional Development Hours for Teachers: A statement of contact hour verification will be provided, which educators in turn provide to their Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC). Ohio Revised Code (Section 3319.22) assigns LPDCs the responsibility of reviewing educators’ Professional Development activities as part of their Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDP) and determining if they meet licensure renewal requirements.                                                                                                             CE educational activities that meet the continuing education requirement for the Ohio Board of Nursing: A certificate of attendance verification will be provided with the CE activity hours. Chapter 4723-14-05 from the law and rules from www.nursing.ohiogov reads: (7) A continuing education activity that has been approved by a board or an agency that regulates a health care profession or related discipline in Ohio or another jurisdiction;

Please note for late arrivals and/or early departures CEU certificates will be amended

Cancellation Policy: The Training Center must be notified 7 days prior to a training via telephone, fax or email in order to cancel a registration and receive a full refund.

Child Focus, Inc. Training Center is accessible to wheelchairs. If you need any of the auxiliary aids or services identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Melanie Recchia at mrecchia@child-focus.org.