100 JUHS District Students Get Trained on Youth Mental Health First Aid
Through an ongoing partnership with Jefferson Union High School District, a total of 100 student peers have been trained from three high schools in the district, including Westmoor High School, Jefferson High School and Terra Nova High School.
Through collaboration with school counselors and peer resource teachers, Behavioral Health And Recovery Services (BHRS), Office of Diversity and Equity, was able to train students on how to identify the unique warning signs and risk factors of a mental health challenge in a young person and discuss how to help a peer when in distress. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) instructors were able to adapt the YMHFA curriculum to fit the needs of students and incorporated activities regarding healthy coping skills and self-care.
1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime. YMHFA is an 8-hour public education training program designed for any adult or student peer working with or assisting young people, ages 12-24. In 2013, San Mateo County BHRS, Office of Diversity and Equity, partnered with the County Office of Education to begin offering this training to all schools throughout the county. Classroom teachers, school site administrators, school office personnel, coaches, bus drivers, afterschool providers, parents, teacher’s aides, school health aides, yard duty staff, crossing guards, peers and other school personnel are strongly encouraged to become Youth Mental Health First Aiders.
For more information about YMHFA, visit http://smchealth.org/bhrs/ode/CommunityEd#YMHFA or contact Natalie Andrade at nandrade@smcgov.org or 650-372-8548.
Great work, Natalie!!