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WEDNESDAY, JUL 11, 2018

Become a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor - APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 8/24/18

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) was designed by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare to teach neighbors, teachers, parents, peers, and caring citizens how to help a youth or teen who is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or is in crisis. The training is focused on helping youth (12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or a crisis and 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 a youth experiencing a mental health crisis or challenge. 
 
As part of the Conference's efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness, CLMHD is providing scholarships to 30 individuals throughout the state to participate in the 5-day Instructor Training program and be certified to train others in their communities.

The 5-day intensive training will be held October 22 - 26, 2018 at the Hilton Albany, through which participants will become certified to offer the 8-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid course to members of the general public.  Hotel rooms and meals during the training sessions will be provided at no cost to selected candidates. For individuals who are already certified as an Adult MHFA instructor, depending on the number of individuals, will only need to attend the first 2.5 days of this training to gain Youth instructor certification. 

An application packet has been distributed to DCSs to share with interested parties.  If you or someone you know is interested in applying, click HERE for the application.  Applications are to be submitted to the DCS for approval, and will then be forwarded to CLMHD and will be reviewed by a committee.  Individuals will be notified of their selection and will have to commit to the requirements established by the committee.   

It should be noted that the application deadline is August 24, 2018. Candidates will be notified by September 28, 2018 if they have been selected for the training. 

If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Francine Sinkoff, Director of Communications, at fs@clmhd.org or  (518)-462-9422.