This is an 8-hour education program (plus breaks & lunch) which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid uses group activity, role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

Our March course is currently full. We have added a second course on Monday, April 27. 

What will participants learn? This course teaches participants 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. Your course will be specifically geared to camp, camp counselors, and camp experiences.

Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or 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-age youth, ages 8-18.

Who should take this course? The course is designed for any adults who regularly interact with adolescents.  So…YOU!

Who created the course? The National Council for Behavioral Health was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. 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.

About the Instructor

Lori Beverage is a teacher, trainer, facilitator, mother, wife, and Girl Scout of 45 years. She’s been a camper, camp counselor, camp program director, outdoor trainer and facilitator, and outdoor enthusiast. As a teen she was part of the Student Conservation Corp, she’s built hiking trails on Isle Au Haut, backpacked in the Tetons and throughout New England. She’s canoed Chesuncook above Katahdin using the Northwoods paddle of the indigenous tribes of Maine, and led trips down the Connecticut. Lori also taught children and teens living with emotional disturbance and mental health issues.

Currently, Lori designs online trainings for volunteers with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, in addition to providing in-person trainings in Medic First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Lori believes that if we can teach and train adults better, equip them with strong tools and strategies…they will have better tools for working with the children and young people they serve. She lives for this.

Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England

When: March 4, 2020 from 9:00AM – 6:00PM (RSVP required)

Where: Camp Maude Eaton

141 Abbot Street
Andover, MA 01810

Cost: $75/Members | $100/Non-Members

Registration Information

*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire day from 9 am – 6 pm.*

This course is full. We have added a second course on Monday, April 27. For more information and to register, visit here.

• Space is limited to 30 participants, so register early! Because we need to pre-order books for participants, the deadline to register is Wednesday, February 19, 2020.
• Lunch and snacks will be provided.
• Snow date for this program is Thursday, March 5, 2020. Should we need to use this date, an e-Mail notifying participants as soon as we become aware of the situation.
• Program registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another individual from your camp by contacting ACA, New England. We do not offer refunds for the workshop due to weather if the program runs as scheduled.