South San Francisco High School Peer Leaders Trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid
In collaboration with South San Francisco High School Counselor, Ms. Jeanne George, twenty-two (22) current and future peer leaders are now trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid. The Peer Leader Program is a year-long class, where students are hand selected to work as tutors by providing academic support and serve as mentors and role models to other students at the high school.
1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime. Youth Mental Health First Aid (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 Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE), 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.