WHY TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?

teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens in grades 9-12, or ages 14-18, how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers.

• 49.5% of adolescents ages 13-18 live with a mental disorder, and more than 1 in 5 (22.2%) of them experience a severe impairment.*

• 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by the mid-20s.**

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 15-19. ***

* National Institute of Mental Health ** Archives of General Psychiatry *** national center for health statistics

In Bartholomew County

• 33.6% of teens report feeling sad or hopeless for more than 2 weeks in a row.*

• 16.3% of teens report having seriously considered suicide.*

• SEVEN teens died by suicide between 2015-2023.**

* indiana youth survey, bartholomew county report 2024 ** office of the coroner, bartholomew county report

WHAT IT COVERS

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

• Common signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis, particularly suicide.

• The impact of school violence and bullying on mental health.

• How to open the conversation about mental health challenges and substance use with friends.

• How to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult.

OTHER BENEFITS

• Time spent at the training can be counted toward community service hours.

• Being certified in tMHFA looks great on a resume and/or college application.

• Students get to hang out with like-minded teens in a safe, judgment-free space.

• Snacks will be provided at each session.

teen Mental Health First Aid is taught by an instructor who has received special training and is certified to teach the course by Mental Health First Aid USA, a division of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Learn more about this evidence-based program on the Mental Health First Aid Website.