Why Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Young people don't always tell us when they are struggling. Their needs may first appear through changes in behavior, relationships, academic performance, attendance, or engagement.
Youth Mental Health First Aid helps adults look beyond the behavior and recognize when something more may be happening.
Through this interactive training, participants learn how to recognize warning signs, start supportive conversations, respond appropriately, and connect young people with professional and community resources when needed.
Meet Your Presenter
Dr. Laura Clift is an experienced educator, school administrator, author, and educational consultant with more than 20 years of leadership experience in both Catholic and public education. She holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and has served as a teacher, principal, and Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Throughout her career, Dr. Clift has been passionate about helping educators create classrooms where students are supported, challenged, and treated with dignity.
She is also the author of two books on executive function and regularly provides professional development for educators on classroom management, student behavior, executive functioning, assessment, and instructional practice.
What You'll Learn:
RECOGNIZE
Identify common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in young people.
RESPOND
Learn a practical action plan for approaching and supporting a young person who may be experiencing a challenge or crisis.
CONNECT
Understand how to help young people access appropriate professional, peer, family, and community support.
SUPPORT
Build confidence in having caring, nonjudgmental conversations while maintaining appropriate adult boundaries.