Event Series:
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid & Tackling Safety Together
Take the First Step Toward Suicide Prevention
Gain the confidence, tools, and knowledge to support youth mental health and promote safety in your home and community. This free training combines Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) and Tackling Safety Together (TST)—two evidence-based programs designed to help adults recognize warning signs, respond to mental health challenges, and take proactive steps during moments of crisis in adolescents ages 12–18.
Through interactive instruction and hands-on safety planning exercises, you’ll learn to navigate difficult conversations, reduce risk, and offer meaningful support. The training covers typical adolescent development, common concerns such as anxiety, depression, and substance use, and introduces a proven 5-step action plan to guide your response—whether in a crisis or everyday situation.
Please note: This training includes 2 hours of required self-paced pre-course work prior to the live session.
About Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adolescents ages 12–18. Using a 5-step action plan (ALGEE), you’ll learn how to assess risk, listen without judgment, and connect youth to professional help. YMHFA helps you build the confidence to step in when someone may be struggling. Scenarios and exercises make the learning practical, so you leave ready to help in real-life situations.
About Conversations on Access to Lethal Means (CALM Conversations)
CALM Conversations offers practical tools for discussing safe storage of lethal means, like firearms or medications, during a suicidal crisis. This course empowers everyday people to have respectful, life-saving conversations that can reduce the risk of suicide by putting time and space between a person in crisis and lethal means.
What You'll Gain
Certifications & CEUs
Upon completion, this session qualifies for continuing education units (CEUs) and professional certifications:
To request your certificate and a CEU submission form for state certification, please email us after attending the training.
Please note: This training includes 2 hours of required self-paced pre-course work prior to the live session.
This Event is Open To
This event is open to individuals nationwide. This training is designed for adults who want to support youth ages 12-18, not for the youth themselves. If you're looking for training designed for teens to help their peers, Teen MHFA is available for ages 9-18. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings.
About Suicide Prevention Training
Suicide prevention trainings help prepare individuals to respond to someone in crisis. You'll learn how to recognize risk, offer support, and take meaningful steps to keep someone safe. Download our Suicide Prevention Toolkit for practical tools, resources, and guidance to support someone in crisis.
Take the First Step Toward Suicide Prevention–Sign up Today!
Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.
