Havana, Ill. – One in five teens and young adults lives with a mental health condition according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness and 5.13% of youth report having a substance use or alcohol problem according to Mental Health America.

Adults sometimes forget how hard it was to be a young person. Give struggling youth and teens in your life someone they can trust by learning how to recognize and respond when a young person might need help with a free Youth Mental Health First Aid workshop offered by University of Illinois Extension and the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center.

Adolescence is challenging for many people and mental health issues can develop during that time of life. Learn how to identify common signs and symptoms of youth mental illness or substance use. Gain skills to feel confident listening to and supporting a young person in crisis and leave with resources to connect them with appropriate care. Topics also include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, trauma, addition, self-care, social media, and bullying.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid workshop is open to the public and is appropriate for anyone who wants to help youth, especially in rural areas. Participants will build their skills by practicing with real-world scenarios. It is also relevant for teachers, school staff, coaches, camp counselors, youth group leaders, parents, and anyone who works with youth.

Register for free online at go.illinois.edu/MHFARegistration. Participants will complete a two-hour self-paced online training before attending in person training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat, Jan 27, 2024. In-person training will take place at University of Illinois Extension, Mason County Branch Office, 127 S. High Street, Havana, IL. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Emily Schoenfelder at eschoe@illinois.edu or (217) 300-5557.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Extension office at 309-543-3308. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.

This program is affiliated with The North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center - a 12-state, 15-partner collaborative created to develop and expand stress management and mental health resources and services for agricultural producers and stakeholders in the North Central region. The North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center is funded by USDA NIFA (2020-70028-32728).

For more information about other youth and adult programs offered through University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit, visit our website at extension.illinois.edu/fmpt.