Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation is making strides in addressing youth mental health by certifying community members in Youth Mental Health First Aid. This initiative is part of the district’s efforts to better assist young people during mental health challenges, which have become more prevalent in recent years.
Grant and the Goal of Enhancing Mental Health Wellness
In 2022, Clark-Pleasant was one of four schools in the state awarded a Project AWARE grant. This four-year grant focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness for both students and staff. Currently in its third year, the grant funds a range of programs aimed at improving mental health awareness and support throughout the school district.
One of the key initiatives funded by the grant is the Youth Mental Health First Aid certification program. The goal of this program is to train staff members, community partners, and others who interact with youth in how to recognize and respond to mental health challenges effectively.
Training to Recognize and Respond to Mental Health Issues
The Youth Mental Health First Aid certification program is designed to give participants the skills they need to respond to mental health crises and challenges. The course covers a wide range of issues that young people may face, including depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideations.
According to Erica Garrity, wellness coordinator at Clark-Pleasant, the certification provides individuals with valuable tools to initiate conversations around mental health, offering guidance on how to listen non-judgmentally and provide support. For many parents, teachers, and staff, starting these difficult conversations can be intimidating, and this training equips them with the knowledge and confidence to approach these situations in a supportive way.
“We know if you do that correctly, we can get them linked up with either a professional or whatever, we aren’t just ignoring it,” Garrity explained. “We are supporting them. So that’s the goal, is to teach people how you do that.”
A Broad Reach: Certification for All Community Members
On February 13, dozens of community members received their certification after completing the training. Participants included teachers, administrative assistants, bus drivers, and even school administrators, including Superintendent Tim Edsell and Assistant Superintendent Cassandra Ship.
In total, about 250 people have been certified so far, including parents, caregivers, faith leaders, probation officers, and other community partners. The district’s goal is to certify anyone who interacts with students regularly, fostering a broad support network for youth mental health in the community.
The Importance of Youth Mental Health First Aid
The importance of this training cannot be overstated. Youth mental health challenges are on the rise, with significant numbers of adolescents experiencing mental health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, approximately 21% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, data from 2023 revealed that 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and 16% made a suicide plan.
This certification program is one of the ways Clark-Pleasant is addressing these alarming statistics by equipping the community with the tools they need to intervene and support youth in crisis.
“We want to make sure that people in our community are equipped to help a young person through a mental health challenge,” said Garrity.
Fostering a Safe and Supportive Environment
By certifying staff and community members, Clark-Pleasant hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and make conversations about mental health more accessible and meaningful. This is an important step in creating an environment where youth feel supported and safe, which ultimately helps them thrive.
The program also provides people with the knowledge to help guide youth to the appropriate resources and support systems, ensuring that they are not alone in facing their mental health challenges.
Positive Feedback from Participants
The success of the program is reflected in the feedback that Erica Garrity receives from participants after they complete the training. Many individuals express their gratitude for the training, sharing how it has made them feel more prepared to handle difficult mental health conversations.
As Garrity explained, she has received more positive feedback about the Youth Mental Health First Aid certification than from any other training she has conducted in her career.
Future Plans and the Continuing Need for Mental Health Education
As the district continues with its Project AWARE grant, they plan to extend their mental health initiatives by launching an Adult Mental Health First Aid program. This will allow the district to further support the well-being of the entire community, not just youth. The district also plans to certify as many administrators, staff members, and community partners as possible before the grant period ends.
For individuals like Natalie Black, assistant principal at Ray Crowe Elementary, the training has been invaluable. Despite her prior experience in dealing with mental health issues, she noted that the training made her feel more prepared to handle future conversations. Similarly, Chelsea Hoffman, a special education teacher and volleyball coach at Southport High School, said the training gave her more confidence in addressing mental health concerns with her students and others.
A Community Effort
Clark-Pleasant’s approach to mental health is a reminder of the importance of community involvement in supporting the mental wellness of youth. Through education and training, the district is helping to build a strong support network for young people, one that recognizes mental health challenges and responds with care and understanding. By equipping more people with the tools to support youth, Clark-Pleasant is not only addressing the immediate needs of students but also fostering a culture of empathy and support that will have a lasting impact on the entire community.
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