This is an 8-hour education program that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. Youth Mental Health First Aid uses group activity, role-playing, and simulations to demonstrate:

• How to assess a mental health crisis
• How to select interventions and provide initial help
• How to connect young people to professional, peer, and social support, as well as self-help care.

The course covers:

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and substance use challenges in this age group.
• 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.

This course is offered in a two-part format and both components must be completed to earn your certification:

• 2.5 hours of pre-work, which must be completed by Thursday, January 15, 2025
• Live, virtual course from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Thursday, January 22, 2026

What will participants learn?

Participants learn the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder.

Participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness, or who are in an emotional crisis by applying a core five-step action plan. The Youth Mental Health First Aid USA curriculum is primarily focused on information participants can use to help adolescents and transition-aged youth, ages 8-18.

Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for any adults who regularly interact with adolescents, and who are either ACA, New England members or who work at camps located in Western Massachusetts.

We are able to provide this course free of charge to ACA, New England members thanks to a SAMHSA grant

Who created this course?

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the United States. Mental Health First Aid USA worked with experts at the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development to develop the youth program.

Dates & Rates

When: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (pre-work must be completed by Thursday, January 15 to qualify for the in-person portion of this course).

Where: Online. Participants will receive a Zoom link no later than 24 hours prior to the program.

Cost: This course is FREE for ACA, New England members and folks who work at camps in Western Massachusetts (parameters of the grant funding to support this course).

*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire program.*

Click here to register!

Registration Information:

This workshop has a maximum capacity of 15 participants.

Once you register through ACA, New England, additional communication about the course will come from the course instructors/the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. You will then receive an email with additional details on how to access the pre-work through the Mental Health First Aid Portal. Please allow time to receive that email. Registration will be open until January 8, 2026, and all pre-work must be completed by Thursday, January 15 to ensure you are qualified to attend the in-person component of the program.

Registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event, provided there is enough time for that individual to complete the mandatory pre-work.

Questions: Reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.