Youth Mental Health Training Offered At Farmington Valley Health District

CANTON, CT — The Canton-based Farmington Valley Health District is offering a training course designed to help adults recognize and respond to mental health challenges among teenagers.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid class will be held at the district’s offices at 95 River Road, Canton. Sign up at this link.

The district serves 10 towns in the Farmington Valley region, including Canton, Avon, Simsbury, Farmington, Granby, East Granby, Hartland, New Hartford, Barkhamsted, and Colebrook.

The class is open to anyone age 18 or older who works with or supports youth, including teachers, school staff, parents, coaches, and camp counselors.

The upcoming session will take place over two evenings: March 19 and March 26, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Participants must attend both sessions to receive a certificate.

The skills-based course is aimed at adults who regularly interact with youth ages 12 to 18.

Organizers say the training teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond when a young person may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

The program covers common signs and symptoms of mental health conditions among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder.

It also addresses substance use challenges and strategies for interacting with a child or adolescent who may be in crisis.

Participants will also learn how to connect youth with professional help and receive additional instruction on trauma, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.

Residents who cannot attend the scheduled dates can indicate interest in future sessions through the district’s registration form, and the health district will contact them when additional classes are scheduled.

For more information and to sign up, click on this link.