Many young people today face significant mental health challenges, with a notable number experiencing intense anxiety and even contemplating suicide. Our goal is to offer vital support to our students by increasing awareness and providing education to teachers, staff, and the teens themselves.
In a collaborative effort with the LWSD Student Services Department, and through the support of Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and our generous donors, LWSF is offering the following programs for free to all LWSD staff members.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a formal, nationally recognized training program that introduces adults to the distinct risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help youth who are in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.
Upon completion of this 6-hour training course, your staff will receive a certificate as well as physical and online resources. Clock hours are available to staff members.
QPR Suicide Prevention
QPR Suicide Prevention Training is a 90-minute course designed to equip staff with the skills to identify warning signs of a suicide crisis and effectively intervene by questioning, persuading, and referring students to help.
Clock hours are available to staff members.
Check out this short video to hear what Evergreen Middle School staff had to say after taking this course.
LWSD Teachers and Staff Can Register for Free Training
If you are an LWSD staff member interested in participating in Youth Mental Health training, you can learn about upcoming training dates and register through the PLMS Cornerstone app. Click on “Learner Home”. In the search bar, search and click on “Youth Mental Health First Aid” or “QPR Suicide Prevention”. Follow the directions to register.
Training sessions can also be scheduled to take place at a school, at times convenient for the faculty, including before school hours, after school hours, or on LEAP days.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a training session, please contact Morgan Lipe at [email protected] or LWSD Student Services at [email protected]
Training for Teens
LWSF also partners with the district to offer Teen Mental Health First Aid. The curriculum is created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in partnership with the Born This Way Foundation, which helps teens learn how to identify, understand and respond to signs of friends who may struggle with mental health and substance challenges.
“The curriculum is designed around the understanding that adults are frequently not the first person teens turn to when they or a friend needs help,” said Chase Covington, school counselor at Nikola Tesla STEM High School. “Knowing that, this curriculum is intended to teach and equip our students with an appropriate level of knowledge and skills to understand a mental health challenge or crisis when they see it and how to respond appropriately.”
Different topics cover mental health challenges: what is appropriate help, how to help a friend in a current or developing mental health crisis, how to help a friend in a substance use crisis. All of these topics are covered while also teaching them resilience and recovery.
“Some of the very students we’re referred to who suffered in silence once, even considered ending their pain through suicide, were helped through the worse times through Teen Mental Health First Aid, and are soon to walk our graduation stage,” shared Chase.
Testimonials
I feel better equipped to help my students that are struggling with mental health issues.
I learned that there are many different types of mental illness and learned more about the signs and symptoms of suicide. I learned about different tools I can use, if needed.
I am very grateful and wish I had this training years ago.
– Feedback from LWSD teachers and staff after completing their training
