COCOA, FLORIDA — In response to rising mental health and substance use challenges among youth, the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Office will host a Youth Mental Health First Aid training session on Thursday, September 26. The training will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Cocoa.
The training is designed to equip adults—such as parents, caregivers, teachers, school staff, and health professionals—with the skills needed to support adolescents aged 12 to 18 who are facing mental health crises or substance use issues.
Similar to how CPR enables individuals without medical training to assist during a heart attack, Youth Mental Health First Aid provides a 5-step Action Plan to help participants effectively support young people in distress.
Participants are required to complete a 2-hour, self-paced online module before the in-person training. The in-person session will then provide an additional 5 hours of instructor-led education.
This initiative aims to enhance the community’s capacity to address and manage mental health and addiction challenges among the youth.
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