MSU Extension Mental Health First Aid

Teen Mental Health First Aid

Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students (10^th, 11^th or 12^th graders), and youth serving organizations how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders among their friends and peers. The training gives students the skills to have supportive mental health conversations with their friends and then identify a responsible and trusted adult to assist in connecting them to professional help. The program is designed to be delivered in schools or community sites in three interactive classroom sessions of 90 minutes each.  Schools and organizations offering the training are required to train at least 10 percent of adult staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid and to train the entire grade level. Youth Mental Health First Aid trains adults to be prepared to help young people facing a crisis.

Read about the Steelcase Foundation's support of Teen Mental Health First Aid training in Kent County, Michigan.

Read about MSU Extension's $1.55 million grant from the Office of Justice Programs to support student mental health and stop school violence.

Listen to a tMFHA Student Testimonial

teen Mental Health First Aid is a powerful program that impacts the lives of the students who partake in it. Whether they come in with their own previous experiences with mental health challenges, or if they are newly imbued with the confidence to tackle difficult situations, teen Mental Health First Aiders leave with more knowledge, skills, and assurance that they can be leaders in their communities. One student, Ava, recounts her experiences with the program here: 

tMHFA Student Testimonial

Where We've Been

Academy of the Americas (Detroit)

Baldwin High School (Baldwin)

Boys and Girls Club of Flint 

Genesee Early College (Flint)

Mason County Eastern High School (Custer)

Melvindale High School (Allen Park)

Mott Early College (Flint)

Muskegon County Career Tech Center (Muskegon)

Orchard View High School (Muskegon)

Shelby High School (Shelby)

Superior Central Schools (Eben Junction)

Tahquamenon Area Schools (Newberry)

West Shore Community College Early College (Scottville)

Whaley Children's Center (Flint)

The Youth Connection (Detroit)

Interested in Learning More?

Contact Kea Norrell-Aitch at kea@msu.edu for more information about implementing teen Mental Health First Aid training at your high school or youth serving organization.