Introduction to Youth Mental Health First Aid Echo Mansfield, MA, LSSP, School Psychologist Learning Objectives The participant will Increase their knowledge of the prevalence of various mental heal disorders impacting you and the need for reduced stigma in communities. Understand the risk and protective factors that can impact a youth s mental health and resiliency. Receive an introduction to a five-step action plan designed to help youth in a crisis. What This Course Will Not Do This session is designed to provide a brief introduction to curriculum but will not lead to participants becoming certified in youth mental health first aid. However, if I do my job well you will have the opportunity in the spring conference to become certified. 1
About me Ice Breaker Have you ever? Opinions Quiz 2
What is YMHFA? Youth Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a young person experiencing a mental health challenge, mental disorder or a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves. Mental Health First Aid does not teach people to diagnose or to provide treatment Why Youth Mental Health First Aid Mental health problems are common. Mental health problems often develop during adolescence. Youth and young adults may experience mental health problems differently than adults. Youth may not be well informed. The sooner an individual gets help, the more likely they are to have a positive outcome. Stigma is associated with mental health problems. Professional help is not always on hand US Youth with Mental Disorder During Adolescence Prevalence (%) Anxiety Disorders 31.9 8.3 Behavior Disorders 19.1 9.5 Mood Disorders 14.3 11.2 Substance Use Disorders Overall Prevalence with Severe Impact 3% of 13-17 year-olds have an eating disorder. 11% of school-aged youth have ADD/ADHD. 11.4 n/a With Severe Impact (%) 22.2 Source: National Institute for Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ health/statistics/prevalence /any-disorder-amongchildren.shtml 3
Idaho Statistics Idaho is consistently among the states with the highest suicide rates. In 2015, Idaho had the 5th highest suicide rate in the U.S. with a rate of 21.9, 57% higher than the national average. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Idahoans ages 15-34 and for males up to age 44. Between 2012-2016, 105 Idaho school children (ages 6-18 years old) died by suicide. 27 of those deaths were among children age 14 or younger. Source: Suicide Prevention Action Network, Idaho http://www.spanidaho.org/uploads/fact%20sheet_august%20 2017.pdf Average Age of Onset ACTIVITY Average Age Of Onset Data ½ of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14; ¾ by age 24. Anxiety Disorders Age 11 Eating Disorders Age 15 Substance Use Disorders Age 20 Schizophrenia Age 23 Bipolar Age 25 Depression Age 32 4
Risk Factors Stressful events, abuse or trauma. Learned behavior. Chemical imbalance. Substance misuse and sensitivity. Seasonal changes. Previous episode of mental illness or presence of another mental illness Ongoing stress and anxiety. Medical conditions and hormonal changes. Side effects of medication. Illness that is life threatening, chronic, or associated with pain. Brain injury. Protective Factors Healthy practices. High self-esteem. Good problem solving skills. Feeling of control in their own life Spirituality. Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Consistent home/family routine. Parental/familial support. Monitoring of youth s activities. Regular school attendance and academic performance. Having a good social support system. Economic security. Availability of constructive recreation. Community bonding. Feeling close to at least one adult. ALGEE Assess for risk of suicide or harm Listen nonjudgmentally Give reassurance and information Encourage appropriate professional help Encourage self-help and other support strategies 5
References and Further Reading Youth Mental Health First Aid, USA https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/about/ Suicide Prevention Action Network, Idaho http://www.spanidaho.org/uploads/fact%20sheet_august%20 2017.pdf National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml Want More? If there is sufficient interest IPSA will host a Spring Institute Certification Course Contact Sarah Grinnell: Grinnell.Sarah@westada.org 6