Sedona AZ (April 18, 2016) – As part of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month programs, the Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley and Spectrum Healthcare are offering Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on Friday, May 6, 8AM-5PM, at Christ Lutheran Church, 25 Chapel Rd, Sedona at the intersection of Chapel Rd and Hwy 179.
The training is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people: parents, family members, teachers, school staff, faith community leaders, neighbors and other caring community members who want to learn how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
The course teaches the common mental health challenges for youth, a 5-step action plan to assess a situation and help young people in crisis or non-crisis situations, the impact of mental and substance use disorders, and local resources available to help. The specific topics include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders, and eating disorders.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have, or will have a serious mental illness. 11% of youth have a mood disorder, 10% have a behavior or conduct disorder, 8% have an anxiety disorder, and 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. The average delay between onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years. Approximately 50% of students age 14 and older with a mental illness drop out of high school. 70% of youth in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in youth ages 10 – 24.