ODE Hosts First Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor Summit
On January 28, 2015, the Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) hosted the first Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Instructor Summit. A total of 14 YMHFA Instructors were present for the 2.5 hour event. School personnel, community-based organization employees, community members, San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) staff, San Mateo Medical Center and Behavioral Health and Recovery Services staff comprised the instructor group.
Topics discussed included the unique partnership between ODE and SMCOE to provide free, 8-hour YMHFA trainings to school personnel and other youth-serving adults of our county through Measure A tax funds; highlights and outcomes reports of the program since the kickoff in October 2013; continual instructor support from ODE staff; and ways to strengthen the community of instructors not only in San Mateo County, but neighboring counties as well.
Presentations were provided on topics of Non-Suicidal Self Injury, Cultural Humility as well as SMCOE’s work on the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities. ODE plans on hosting Instructor Summit meetings on an annual basis to support, inspire and thank instructors for their efforts. Through these meetings, ODE will offer continual learning and support for instructors to facilitate trainings confidently while taking a culturally humble approach and furthering the vital work in reducing stigma related to mental health and substance abuse.
For more information about this Summit or YMHFA, please contact Lauren Getuiza at c_lgetuiza@smcgov.org or 650-372-8548.