The LTHYC to Host Youth Mental Health Training for Lower & Cape May Co

Wildwood, NJ – The Lower Township Healthy Youth Coalition (LTHYC), a community initiative of Cape Assist, is hosting an upcoming training designed for adults who regularly interact with youth ages 12 to 18. The training will take place at Cape Assist on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid training has been an asset in helping teachers, school staff, coaches, parents, and any adult who works closely with youth to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. In addition, the training provides community members with insight and compassion for youths struggling through these issues while granting members the necessary skills to reach out and support them.

“These trainings are so important for our teachers, our leaders, and our parents because, at their core, these trainings teach compassion,” says Kim Erichsen, Cape Assist’s Senior Preventative Specialist and the coordinator for the Lower Township Healthy Youth Coalition. “Often, we compare our personal experience as an adolescent to current life situations. This training provides our mentors with information to empower them, ultimately helping professionals recognize the early signs of mental disorders and help youths get the help they need.”

The six-hour training course requires two hours of online preparation and the four-hour in-person training on Saturday, Nov. 5. Spots for the training are limited and only available to Lower Township and Cape May County residents and employees.

Those interested in participating and becoming certified in helping youths struggling with mental health issues or substance use challenges can register online at www.LTHYC.ORG/MHFIRSTAID. For questions or more information, contact Kim Erichsen at (609) 522-5960 or email at kim@capeassist.org.