Youth Mental Health First Aid (virtual)

The YMHFA course is designed for adults who work with youth, ages 12-18.

The youth program teaches signs and symptoms of emerging mental health problems and how to differentiate potential problems from typical adolescent development.

Mental Health First Aid® is a public education national certification course. Participants learn to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of an emerging mental health challenge or crisis, to identify community resources, and to link individuals in need of support to appropriate care. This skills-based course includes a 5-step action plan which can be used in various types of crisis and non-crisis situations.

Participants receive an electronic Mental Health First Aid manual and Mental Health First Aid Certification for 3 years upon completion of course requirements.

This class requires:

• 2-hours of online, self-paced prework to be completed before class. Emails with prework information will arrive approximately two weeks before the date of the class.
• 6-hours of live, virtual instruction over Zoom. Virtual participants must have a working camera and microphone and are required be on camera during the entire class (except during breaks).

Classes hosted by the Mental Health Association of Maryland are only able to serve those who live or work in the state of Maryland. If you do not qualify, please visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org to find an alternative class.

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This class has grant funded seats available and is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Health BHA which helps to provide Mental Health First Aid programming across the state!

The classes fill on a first come, first served basis.

CEUS:

MHAMD’s Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trainings are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for one (1) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit through December 31, 2029.

These trainings focus on mental health awareness, resilience, recovery, suicide prevention, stigma reduction, intervention strategies, and supporting youth and adults experiencing mental health challenges.

For district employees such as educators, counselors, and other school-based professionals seeking MSDE CPD credit, participants must complete both the Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings. Completion of both trainings also satisfies the Lauryn’s Law requirement for Maryland school counselors.

MHAMD’s Adult Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and MHFA Instructor Trainings are also approved by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists through February 3, 2028. These trainings are designed to help participants recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, apply evidence-based intervention strategies, connect individuals to appropriate supports, and strengthen mental health literacy and crisis response skills.

Approved training lengths include:

• Adult Mental Health First Aid (In-Person): 8 hours
• Adult Mental Health First Aid (Blended): 7.5 hours
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (In-Person): 6.5 hours
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (Blended): 6 hours
• Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training: 18 hours
• Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training: 18 hours
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training: 18 hours