Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA)
WHAT PARENTS/GUARDIANS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Albemarle County Public Schools will conduct teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training for 9th grade student beginning on January 29th, 2025. This is an evidence-based training that teaches teens, how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers. The training gives teens the skills they need to have supportive conversations with their friends and emphasizes the importance of getting help from a responsible and trusted adult.
Young people often turn to each other when stressed or upset and try to help, sometimes taking on too much. tMHFA teaches them they don’t have to take these problems on alone. The course discusses issues that some teens may find distressing, like school violence and suicide. You may wish to discuss these subjects with your teen before or after the training.
Mental health challenges are very common in adolescents, and this course is not being introduced because of any specific problems at our location. In the event of a death by suicide within our community, the death will not be discussed during this class.
The course is being co-taught by school staff and Region Ten. All instructors teaching the course have received special training and are certified to teach the course by Mental Health First Aid USA®, a division of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
SCHOOL CONTACTS
Training will begin on January 28th, 2025. If you have any questions about tMHFA or concerns about your teen’s participation in the training, please contact your school counselor.
Dr. I sits down with Miles Nelson, ACPS Mental Health & Wellness Coordinator, to discuss the impactful Teen Mental Health First Aid program.
Click the link below learn how this initiative is empowering our students with the tools and knowledge to support their peers and prioritize mental health.
Dr. Eric Irizarry & Miles Nelson discuss Teen Mental Health First Aid in ACPS
Teen Mental Health First Aid Parent Information Session
Presented by Carly Harman Prevention Specialist with Region Ten
Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA)
Caregiver Overview
Teen Mental Health First Aid is a program designed to empower students with the knowledge and skills to support themselves and their peers in navigating mental health challenges and crises. Below is an overview of the topics covered in each of the three sessions:
Session 1: Understanding Mental Health
- What is Mental Health? Exploring mental health and common mental health challenges.
- Impact of Trauma and Social Media: How these factors influence teen mental health.
- Effects of Mental Health Challenges: Understanding the impact on teens' lives.
- Breaking the Stigma: Building resilience and focusing on recovery.
- Support Systems: Types of appropriate help, creating a circle of support, and practicing self-love.
Session 2: Mental Health Crises and the 5-Step Action Plan
- What is a Mental Health Crisis? Defining crises and their potential impacts.
- 5-Step Action Plan: A step-by-step guide to supporting peers in distress.
- Addressing Suicidal Thoughts: Recognizing signs and offering support.
- Crisis Situations: Identifying and responding to panic attacks, self-injury, trauma, bullying, and violence.
- Practical Application: Using the tMHFA action plan in various crisis scenarios.
Session 3: Resilience and Recovery
- Substance Use Crises: Responding to substance-related issues and using the recovery position.
- tMHFA in Action: Applying knowledge to non-crisis mental health challenges.
- Resilience and Recovery: Focusing on strategies for growth and healing.
- Key Takeaways and Reflections: Summarizing lessons learned and exploring next steps.
- Resources: Providing caregivers with tools and references to support their teens.
This program ensures students are equipped to support peers facing mental health challenges with compassion, understanding, and effective action, while emphasizing the importance of resilience, recovery, and a supportive community.
Questions to Engage Your Student After Each tMHFA Session
tMHFA Session #1
- What does good mental health mean to you?
- Did you learn anything about your own mental health?
- What things do you do to maintain good mental health?
- Do you feel like you need some support to help improve your mental health?
- How can I help?
- Do you think that social media has a negative or positive effect on your mental health?
- What gets in the way of teens reaching out for help?
- Who are some of the people you can go to for help at school?
- What about outside of school?
- Who did you include in your circle of support?
- I want you to know that you can always come to me.
- What kinds of things are an important part of your selflove/care plan?
tMHFA Session #2
- How do you know when to get are sponsible adult involved?
- How do you know if someone is in crisis?
- Do you have any friends that you are worried about?
- Are there any concerns that you have about yourself?
- Do you know what to do when you witness, experience, or find out about bullying or violence?
- Can you see yourself using the tMHFA action plan to help a friend?
- Why might it be preferable to provide help in person?
tMHFA Session #3
- What are some reasons why young people use substances?
- Do you know what to do if you see someone experiencing an overdose?
- What are some reasons that young people don’t report overdoses or substance use crises?
- Why is it important to get help early?
- After having taken this course, what is one thing that you will now do or keep in mind?
- What are some helpful resources that you’d like to remember?
Concerned about your child?
If you’re worried about your child, let them know what you’ve noticed. Show that you care by listening non-judgmentally and offer help as needed. This might sound like:
“You seem worried/anxious/upset/down, etc. I’m concerned about you and am here to listen/support/help, etc. ”Don’t hesitate to reach out to your school and community resources for more guidance and support."
ACPS & National Resources
HELPme ACPS Resource & Support Link
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988
Region Ten Emergency Services (434) 972-1800
Regional Crisis Call Center (434) 230-9704
Questions? Reach out to your School Counselor or prevention@regionten.org