About
The NC Youth Mental Health First Aid program provides funding for implementing Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) and teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Trainings throughout North Carolina. YMHFA trains adults to support youth experiencing mental health challenges through a 5-step action plan. Participants learn how to assess for signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and how to respond to crisis and non crisis mental health situations.
Our program includes:
- YMHFA and teen MHFA trainings at no cost for individuals that work in schools or youth serving organizations
- YMHFA and teen MHFA trainings at no cost for organizations (schools or youth serving organizations)
- Funding for materials for instructors to teach YMHFA and teen MHFA trainings
- Specialized trainings for middle and high school athletic staff in YMHFA through a partnership with Whole Health Sport
- Specialized trainings for schools on the integration of YMHFA and restorative justice and equity practices
- Technical assistance and support in implementing YMHFA in tribal and rural communities
Funding
Grounded in an existing partnership with the NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child and Family Wellbeing, this initiative received $4.65 million from the Governor’s Office to implement Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and teen Mental Health First Aid for NC schools and other youth-serving community organizations. Youth MHFA training teaches adults who work with youth, including teachers and school staff, how to identify and support youth ages 12-18 who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges and how to help in crisis situations. Teen MHFA uses a peer-to-peer model that promotes positive help seeking for behaviors for teens facing mental health or substance use challenges. The funds will be used to certify new Youth and teen MHFA instructors across the state and provide in-person or virtual training opportunities. This investment in NC schools and communities follows Governor Cooper’s investment of $40 million in GEER funds in August 2020 to K-12 public schools to help schools address students’ physical and mental health needs during the pandemic.
Meet the Team
Behavioral Health Springboard Staff
Alicia Freeman, LCMHC, LCAS-A
Sabrina Malagon, MPH
Alex Schmidt
Nina Muller, LCSW
Javan Richardson
Alicia Freeman, LCMHC, LCAS-A
Alicia is the Mental Health First Aid Program Manager. She oversees all MHFA Projects and Initiatives for expansion and sustainability efforts. She began spearheading the MHFA program with the Behavioral Health Springboard as the MHFA Coordinator in March 2022. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist – Associate. She attended East Carolina University obtaining a Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Career Counseling as well as a Graduate Certificate in both Substance Use Counseling and Vocational Evaluation. Alicia has a passion for Mental Health Equity, Resilience, and Suicide Prevention. Alicia is a citizen of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe of North Carolina, and grew up in rural southeastern NC in her tribal community. These roots empower her to prioritized historically marginalized communities. For self-care Alicia enjoys play tennis, being in nature, and spending quality time with friends, family and her fur baby Cayden.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciafreemanlcmhclcas/
Sabrina Malagon, MPH
Sabrina is the Youth Mental Health First Aid Coordinator who is co-leading this initiative since July of 2023 on behalf of Behavioral Health Springboard. Sabrina champions the Mental Health First Aid program, advocating for its potential to dismantle stigma and forge connections to vital mental health resources for young individuals. Before embarking on this initiative, she completed her Masters of Public Health at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health with a concentration in Maternal, Child, and Family Health. Sabrina has supported many public health initiatives including: community Covid research, evidence-based parent coaching, Medicaid reimbursement toolkit, GIS Mapping for Veteran mental health needs assessment, school SEL Implementation, adolescent depression screenings in Primary Care settings, and using machine learning to project Mental Health treatment outcomes in Healthcare settings. When not coordinating this initiative, Sabrina can be found spending time with friends, crafting, and walking her cat named Peppa.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!
Alex Schmidt
Alex is the Adult Behavioral Health Program Specialist at UNC Behavioral Health Springboard. She provides administrative support for the MHFA programs and instructs Youth and Adult MHFA trainings and is certified to instruct QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings. In addition to her work with the MHFA programs, she also provides support for Provider Training, the NC Pregnancy and Opioid Exposure Project, and the Workforce Development Stipend.
Nina Muller, LCSW
Nina works as the School Behavioral Health Program Specialist for the Behavioral Health Springboard. She works to support the implementation of Teen and Youth Mental Health First Aid in high schools state-wide via coordination, technical assistance, implementation support, and as a trainer. She came to the team in September 2023 after working in schools in Denver, Colorado as a school social worker/EC specialist and school-based therapist. During her time in the schools, Nina saw firsthand the need for evidence-based, comprehensive, and engaging material that teaches adults and youth how to support, and connect with resources, young people who might be struggling. In her free time, Nina can be found reading, daydreaming about her future (one day!) therapy farm, or going for strolls with her retired therapy dog Fuego.
You can connect with her on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/nina-muller-lcsw-84b84115b
Javan Richardson
Javan Emanuel Richardson, an emerging leader, executive strategist, and evolving coach was raised in a family deeply committed to ministry. At four years old, he would sit outside and speak with a spatula serving as his microphone. His grandmother listened, encouraging him to remain humble, obedient and focused. He’s lived by these principles and recognizes that they’ve been instrumental to his achievements. He enjoys spending time with his family, especially his nephew Eli & niece Elani — they are his pride & joy. With a burning passion for achievement, Javan’s ardent desire is to help the next generation tap into their potential and recognize unparalleled success in every area of life. Trained under the tutelage of Dr. Haywood and Dr. Wanda Frazier-Parker, he now walks out his calling as a public speaker, author, visionary, executor, and innovator inspiring audiences both in ministry and the marketplace. His charismatic style delivers practical truths that empower his listeners to live authentically and grow spiritually — in fact Javan released his first book in 2019 entitled “Your Wealth Is In Your Hands”. In 2022, Javan released his first coursebook “Write the Story, Make it Plain” providing aspiring authors essential steps to compose their book. Javan holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina Central University. Javan loves academia and has held positions at Duke University, Wake Forest University, & North Carolina State University. Along with public speaking Javan is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Behavioral Health Springboard Contractor
Ruby Brown-Herring, MEd, BSW
Ruby Brown-Herring, MEd, BSW
Ruby is the CEO of RBH Wellness Solutions, where she assists businesses, government agencies and nonprofits with creating employee well-being strategies that support mental health at work while improving belonging, engagement, and retention. In addition, she provides project management for local, state, and national initiatives.
Ruby holds a Bachelor of Social Work from UNC Wilmington and a Master of Education in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina. She has over 20 years of experience in program management, adult, continuing and higher education and is recognized as a state and national leader in corporate wellness and community mental health education. Ruby served as North Carolina’s first MHFA state coordinator, where she coordinated the state’s initiative to disseminate MHFA across the state. She began working with the NC Division of Child and Family Wellbeing in February 2023 to develop and implement this statewide initiative for youth and teen MHFA in schools and youth serving organizations across North Carolina. She also serves as a member of the National Trainers Corps for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, where she trains Mental Health First Aid instructors across the US.
Ruby lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and is the mother of college age twin daughters, both of whom have lived experience with mental health challenges.
FUN FACT: She met her husband online before online dating was cool. That was April 1998 in a Yahoo chat room!
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!
Behavioral Health Springboard Students
Isabella Mowery
Jania Richards
Isabella Mowery
Isabella is the Youth Mental Health First Aid Program Assistant within the Behavioral Health Springboard. She has been working with BHS since August of 2022 and began working with Youth Mental Health First Aid in August 2023. Currently she is working to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Isabella is passionate about serving her community in any way possible. She especially finds joy in assisting first-generation and low-income high school students decide on post-secondary plans. After graduation she aspires to work with high school or community college students by providing guidance about opportunities and possible future plans. In her free time, you can find her planning her wedding, spending time with friends, and buying books even though she has quite a few on her bookshelf she hasn’t read yet.
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-mowery
Jania Richards
Jania is an administrative assistant at the Behavioral Health Springboard within the UNC School of Social Work. She has been assisting with the Mental Health First Aid Initiative since November 2023. She has an interest in a career in social work, as she desires to cultivate sustainable change in the lives of children and families, which is where her passion for this work stems from. She is a senior set to complete her Human Development and Family Science degree with a minor in English in May 2024. Prior to her time at BHS, she completed an internship at a nonprofit partnership, at which she prepared curriculum for and facilitated playgroups centered on promoting child development. Her on-campus involvement includes serving as a connect group leader for her campus ministry and as education chair for a literacy-focused student organization. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, writing, and spending time with friends.
Partners
Lee Berlinquette
Halley Carmack, CSW
Soumya Palreddy, PhD
Ian Lowe, MA
Katie Kilty, Ed.D.
Lynn Hennighausen, MS.
Lee Berlinquette
Lee Ann Berlinquette earned her degree in Recreation and worked closely with varsity and intramural athletics, and managed a college residence in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. She moved back to Duluth, Minnesota to continue her education in Corrections and Social Work. She worked closely with law enforcement, probation, juvenile court systems, and social services to coordinate diversion programs specifically around juvenile offenders and truancy, as well as managed a 24 hour Juvenile Crisis Shelter. She served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Social Services Association, and on the Corrections Advisory Board at Lake Superior College. Lee’s love of training began many years before becoming an Instructor and National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid. She has trained over 600 youth-serving staff from Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, on topics like FA/CPR, mandated reporting, child passenger safety, CPI, and MHFA. When she is not training, Lee loves the four Minnesota seasons, and enjoys the outdoors with her family whenever possible!
Halley Carmack, CSW
Halley Carmack has dedicated her career to supporting the mental health of young children and the adults who care for them. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) since 2011, Halley has worked in diverse settings including community mental health clinics, schools, childcare centers, and prevention programs. She is currently in private practice where she uses evidence-based strategies to address behavioral challenges, wounded attachments, and the impacts of trauma. When not working directly with children and families, Halley develops and facilitates continuing education for those involved in caring for young children in a variety of roles. A graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work, Halley is committed tosupporting the network of care for children across the state of North Carolina. In her free time Halley enjoys art and music in every form, as well as spending time in nature.
Soumya Palreddy, PhD
Soumya (pronunciation: SOH-myuh, she/her) is an anti-bias antiracism educator in progress, licensed psychologist, and trainer. Bringing warmth and energy, she provides training and promotes transformative change in the areas of health care inequities, centering anti-racism, leadership development, and supervision. Her journey facilitating changes in communities started with planning and implementing prevention programming at a rape crisis center. Currently, Soumya is a National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and most recently, was a medical consultant for the Social Security Administration. In addition to being a National Trainer, Soumya was instrumental in the rewrite of Adult MHFA 2.0, Youth MHFA 2.0, and the associated train-the-training programs. Furthermore, she has provided consultation to organizations and schools to center equity and implement restorative justice. Prior to consulting, Soumya served as an Associate Director at University Health Services at UW- Madison, sitting on the leadership team for the mental health division.
Ian Lowe, MA
Ian (pronunciation: EE – uh n, he/him) is a Wisconsin-based educator with 15 years of classroom teaching experience. As a teacher and student advisor, Ian mentors students and staff on how to center justice and equity through course and project design. These projects are grounded in essential questions which contain multiple avenues for teachers and learners to access knowledge, develop new skills and demonstrate learning. As a school-based Restorative Justice practitioner, he developed and sustained a partnership with the YWCA (in Madison, WI), weaving Restorative Practices into myriad aspects of the teaching and learning environments throughout the school. Ian’s pedagogical approach is also heavily influenced by his experience with interdisciplinary instruction and project-based learning. His work in developing collaborative, interdisciplinary, and project-based work with students was captured in Wisconsin Public Radio’s Classroom Frequency, which aired in June 2019 and was awarded a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Education.
Katie Kilty, Ed.D.
Katie is an executive coach, a facilitator, and a tenured professor. Katie believes in the power of possibility. She is an experiential learner with an adventurous spirit, driven by curiosity and innovation. Using a combination of courageous leadership and design thinking she works collaboratively with leaders to create high performing, human centered workplaces. As an executive leadership coach and performance consultant, Katie has worked national and international elite sport organizations to build sustainable cultures of excellence and wellbeing. She is a Professor of Sport Management at Endicott College where she teaches courses in Leadership and Sport in Society. She is an active volunteer, energized by creating and supporting community-based programs utilizing sport and the arts for social change.
Katie holds a doctoral degree in Counseling and Developmental Studies with a specialty in Performance and SportPsychology from Boston University; Masters in Arts and Learning and Masters in Sport Psychology. She is credentialed in the Dare to Lead™, Leadership Circle Profile™, Social Fitness™, The Daring Way™ and Rising Strong™; Digital Storytelling Facilitation and is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Katie lives on the NorthShore of Boston, MA.
Lynn Hennighausen, MS.
Lynn is a National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid, a training that helps people identify signs and symptoms of potential mental illness and substance use disorders; like CPR for brain illness. She recently left her role at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC, where she managed its MHFA initiative. More than 13,000 people were trained through this initiative during Lynn’s 3years there. Lynn also leads a non-profit organization in the Lake Norman area, Davidson Life Line. Its mission is to increase mental health awareness and suicide prevention in communities through education, advocacy, and connection.
As a 2-sport college athlete (volleyball, softball) at Loras College, Lynn understands the strength and power of sport as well as the exceptional influence of coaches and athletic trainers. Passion for whole athlete wellness began on the volleyball court and softball diamond and were cultivated as a softball coach for more than 12 years.
Lynn holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s spent her career in risk factor management and disease prevention. She and her husband, Rick, live in Davidson, NC, have been married for more than 30 years and have 3 adult children.
Partner Organizations
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services – Division of Child and Family Wellbeing
- RBH Wellness
- Whole Health Sport
- De Pearl and Associates
- Mental Health Association of New Jersey
- PalreddyLowe Learning Lab