GYA Workshops & Trainings
Photo: 2023 Gap Year Conference
Mental Health First Aid Training
online certification course
*An essential course for field leaders, counselors, and any other professionals who work directly with youth and/or young adults*
$170 for current GYA members, $220 for non-members
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence- and skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in others. This course will help participants:
- Increase their mental health literacy
- Better understand the unique mental health challenges that youth and young adults may face
- Establish an action plan for how to provide mental health support safely and responsibly to others
Similar to CPR/First Aid, this training will provide participants with a certification as a Mental Health First Aider for three years from the date of their course completion.
Two versions of this training are available—YOUTH and ADULT—that focus on mental health support for populations in different age ranges:
The Adult Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education course is appropriate for educators, counselors, program staff, and other professionals who work with college-aged adults (18+). This course will cover:
- The relevance of mental health to college-aged populations.
- Risk factors and protective factors specific to this age group.
- Methods for identifying and responding to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse challenges, including early intervention techniques
- Using the MHFA Action Plan in scenarios designed specifically for instructors, administrators, and students.
- National, campus, and community mental health resources.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is appropriate for teachers, counselors, program staff, and other professionals who work with youth between the ages of 12 and 18. This course will cover:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
- Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
- How to connect the youth with help.
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.
The Adult Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education course is appropriate for educators, counselors, program staff, and other professionals who work with college-aged adults (18+). This course will cover:
- The relevance of mental health to college-aged populations.
- Risk factors and protective factors specific to this age group.
- Methods for identifying and responding to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse challenges, including early intervention techniques
- Using the MHFA Action Plan in scenarios designed specifically for instructors, administrators, and students.
- National, campus, and community mental health resources.
TRAINER
KATIE NOBLE, M.S.Ed. (she/they) is a professional educator, consultant, trainer, coach, and motivational speaker. She is the owner and founder of Noble Wellbeing, LLC, a company focused on educating and empowering communities to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use.
"The MHFA training has been a gamechanger in both my professional and personal realms. I'm so grateful to have a comprehensive strategy in my back pocket to support the amazing people in my orbit that are navigating challenges. This is an essential skill set and training for anyone who interacts with other human beings!"
"MHFA is an outstanding course that empowers you with compassionate and comprehensive tools not only to navigate mental health challenges in the communities you serve, but to support mental health and wellness throughout your entire organization."
REGISTER: Mental Health First Aid
GYA does not currently have an upcoming Mental Health First Aid training course available. Please submit your email below if you would like to be notified once the next course is scheduled:
Monday 4/22/24 and Tuesday 4/23/24 from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm EDT
Two 3.5-hour days (3.25 hours plus one 15-minute break each day) via Zoom.
Participants will be required to complete approximately two hours of self-paced, online learning prior to the instructor-led virtual training and approximately 15 minutes of online learning following the training.
If participants miss 30 minutes or more of the training they may continue with the training, but they will not be eligible to receive the official certificate of completion.
**The course is limited to 20 attendees. Registration will close on Monday, April 15**