A North Carolina program that provides “mental health first aid” training is expanding to 10th through 12th graders this year.
For years, the state Department of Health and Human Services has provided training to hundreds of adults who work at schools or youth programs. The Youth Mental Health First Aid program teaches adults to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in 12- through 18-year-olds and refer kids to resources.
The new Teen Mental Health First Aid initiative teaches young people how to support their friends during a mental health challenge and get a trusted or trained adult involved, as well.
Sharon Bell, a child behavioral health unit manager at DHHS, presented plans for the training this year to the Task Force for Safer Schools on Wednesday, The task force advises the Center for Safer Schools at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and makes recommendations on school safety to the governor and the General Assembly.
Rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts have been rising for years among youth, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, tips to the state’s anonymous concern reporting system for schools are largely centered around bullying, drug use, self-harm, harassment and suicidality.
Rising needs are partly why Bell believes schools are increasingly asking for the youth mental health training. Schools used to be more apprehensive about the training, concerned about employees having the time to get it, Bell said.
DHHS officials used to have to try to convince schools to send employees to it. Now, schools come to DHHS asking for the training.
“In some of those situations, it was probably driven by some specific incidents that have probably happened in our schools,” Bell said.
It’s unfortunate, Bell said, and schools realize they need to respond.
