Educating Communities on Youth Mental Health
About Us
Community Synergy is an educational consulting company committed to improving the quality of education in schools and the community. Our mission is to provide education for the early identification of youth at risk of mental health issues. We then will connect them with appropriate resources to improve their long-term mental health. Community Synergy has an outstanding team of master educators and highly-skilled practitioners who provide academic, social, and mental health enrichment nationwide and county-wide
Mental Health Facts
Why Mental Health For Children and Youth ?
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach adults (school staff, camp counselors, parents, coaches, neighbors, law enforcement, nurses, EMTs, clergy, community members and leaders) how to help a child or youth who is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge in both non-crisis and crisis situations.
Mental Health Illnesses
50% of all mental health illnesses begin by age 14 and 75% by the mid-20's
Suicide
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among ages 10-34.
Psychiatric Disorder
17.1 million youth have or have had a psychiatric disorder - more than the number of children with cancer, diabetes and AIDs combined.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Vision
How to recognize signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge or disorder.
Stigmas
How to reduce stigmas associated with mental health illnesses.
Plan
How to implement a 5-step action plan (ALGEE) for both non-crisis and crisis situations.
Mental Health In The News
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-03-11/medical-costs-for-kids-mental-health-jumped-31-in-5-years
State of the State Proposal to Expand Access to Mental Health Care and Resources Across Multiple Settings State Will Help Establish School-Based Mental Health Clinics for Any School That Wants
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/17/media/surgeon-general-social-media-apps-warning-label
How it works
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: 3 options
*Options may be limited due to Covid restrictions.
* All materials and fees are covered by a SAMHSA grant awarded to Community Synergy.
Virtual
Participants complete a required 2-hour self-paced webinar and then participate in a virtual 6-hour Instructor-led training.
1
Blended
Participants complete a 2-hour self-paced webinar (“pre-work”) and then participate in an in-person Instructor-led training.
2
In person
Participants will receive their training as an 8-hour in-person Instructor-led training.
3
Frequently Ask Questions
The Benefits of Taking a Mental Health Awareness Course
- Provides a better understanding of how mental illness can affect a person's life. ...
- It can help to reduce the stigma of mental illness. ...
- Gives you confidence when helping those who are suffering. ...
- Helps you to recognize early signs and risks of mental illness.
Yes. There are three options. *Due to continuing Covid concerns, we are currently offering the Blended Virtual training (Option 1). All the training options are listed below.
Option 1: Blended Virtual- Participants complete the required 2-hour self-paced webinar (“Pre-work) and then take the Virtual instructor-led training.
Option 2: Blended In- Person: Participants complete the required 2-hour self-paced webinar (“Pre-work) and then take the In- Person instructor-led training.
Option 3: In- Person: Participants attend the In- Person instructor-led training which includes the Pre-work.
Participants will need a laptop or desktop computer with camera and microphone capabilities. As per the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, participants must attend 90% of the instructor-led training and participate in at least 70% of the activities. Participants will receive an email with a zoom link to attend the virtual instructor-led training (ILT) a few days prior to the class,
No. As per the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the 2-hour self-paced webinar (“pre-work”) is required and must be completed prior to taking the Virtual Instructor-led training. Participants will be given a deadline to complete the pre-work. There are 9 modules in the pre-work which include a slide presentation, videos, and an electronic version of all the materials.
- The purpose of Youth Mental Health First Aid and the role of the Youth Mental Health First Aider.
- Typical signs of adolescent development (physical, cognitive, social, and emotional) and how to recognize signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge that might impact young people.
- New vocabulary and terms to help destigmatize feelings and beliefs about mental health challenges and disorders.
- Cultural considerations when discussing mental health challenges and disorders.
- Risk and protective factors
- The impact of traumatic events and resilience
- How to apply the Youth Mental Health Action Plan (ALGEE) in both non-crisis and crisis situations
- A Self-care plan for the Youth Mental Health First Aider
Participants must be at least 18 years of age to register for training. Our participants are adults who work or have contact with you. They may be teachers, administrators, teaching assistants, nurses, administrative assistants, guidance and school counselors, psychologists, coaches, advisors, security guards, law enforcement, EMTs, fire fighters, social workers, camp counselors, parents, clergy, and community leaders.
Participants will receive an electronic copy of the MHFA USA Manual for Adults Assisting Children and Youth, the MHFA USA Participant Processing Guide and the Self-Care template. The Participant Processing Guide will be used during the instructor-led training.
There is a slide show presentation, videos, and several interactive activities. The activities will teach participants how to recognize signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge or crisis and how to use the 5-step action plan “ALGEE” in both non-crisis and crisis situations to assist a young person.
Yes, participants do not have to pay for the course. Our organization, Community Synergy was awarded a three-year SAMHSA grant which covers the cost. All materials are free electronically. These materials are in the pre-work (modules 6-9).
Yes, we have coordinated training for large groups. However, we would have to create multiple classes and hire several trainers. The maximum class size is 30 participants. Our class size generally runs from 15-30 with two or three instructors.
Please see our registration page to sign up for a class or to request a class.
As soon as you complete the course which includes the 2-hour self-paced webinar (“pre-work”), participate in the Virtual Instructor-led training, and complete the post-work, you will be able to access and print your certificate. You will become certified as a Youth Mental Health First Aider by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Your certification expires three years after the date you were certified. You should receive an email from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to renew your certification which can be done online. *Please make a note of the email address you used and the password you created on the MHFA Connect website. You will need both to access your materials and to renew your certification. You can update your information by logging into the system with your email and password. Then go to your profile if you want to change your email address or any other information you want to change.
The Self-Care template is a blank template that you will use to create your own Self- care plan. Being a Youth Mental Health First Aider can be stressful. It is important for you to create your own self-care plan to help you “de-stress”. This is discussed in both the Pre-work and the Virtual Instructor-led training.
Outstanding Team of Master Educators and Highly-Skilled Practitioners
