Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA): Help adolescents who are developing a mental heath problem or experiencing and emotional crisis.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in youth.
This 8-hour training gives adults the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to adolescents (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge and help connect them to the appropriate care. Learn more: download the Mental Health First Aid for Youth one-pager (please note that scholarships will not be available if you request a training through the MHFA website).
This course teaches participants to:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other supportive strategies
Audience | YMHFA training is for teachers, school staff, coaches, camp counselors, youth group leaders, parents, and anyone who works with youth. |
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Size | 16 |
Cost | $2,200/participant (many scholarships available) |
Location | Both virtual and in-person trainings are available |
Length | In Person: 3 - 5 days; Virtual: 1 - 2 hours of asynchronous prework/postwork + 3 -5 hours synchronous (live webinar) and 3 -5 days of virtual instruction |
Benefits | 3 year certification |
Scholarship Requirements | Complete an evaluation for the course, pass the certification test (virtual only), complete follow up evaluations and provide quarterly training data. |
Materials | Training materials will be provided through the National Council and shipped to each participant. They will provide codes for each participant. |
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) INSTRUCTOR Certification: Train others to help adolescents (12-18) who are developing a mental heath problem or experiencing and emotional crisis.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use challenges in youth.
Instructors have a primary role to teach the Mental Health First Aid Course with fidelity to the core program model and provide key messages. This 3–5-day training certifies new instructors and gives them the skills they need to provide adequate training to their communities and organizations.
This course teaches participants to:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other supportive strategies
Audience | YMHFA training is for teachers, school staff, coaches, camp counselors, youth group leaders, parents, and anyone who works with youth. |
---|---|
Size | 16 |
Cost | $2,200/participant (many scholarships available) |
Location | Both virtual and in-person trainings are available |
Length | In Person: 3 - 5 days; Virtual: 1 - 2 hours of asynchronous prework/postwork + 3 -5 hours synchronous (live webinar) and 3 -5 days of virtual instruction |
Benefits | 3 year certification |
Scholarship Requirements | Complete an evaluation for the course, pass the certification test (virtual only), complete follow up evaluations and provide quarterly training data. |
Materials | Training materials will be provided through the National Council and shipped to each participant. They will provide codes for each participant. |
Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA) INSTRUCTOR Certification: Train adolescents to identify, understand, and respond to friends and peers who are developing a mental heath problem or experiencing and emotional crisis.
Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA) is an evidence-based training that teaches high school students in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades how to identify, understand and help their friends with mental health and substance use challenges and how to get the help of an adult quickly.
Before teaching this course, organizations must contact OSAH and complete all implementation requirements. Download the fact sheet for a full list of implementation requirements.
Instructors have a primary role to teach the Mental Health First Aid Course with fidelity to the core program model and provide key messages. This 3–5-day training certifies new instructors and gives them the skills they need to provide adequate training to their communities and organizations.
This course:
- Addresses common mental health concerns among teens
- Reduces stigma
- Teaches teens a 5-step Action Plan to help their friends who may be facing a mental health challenge or crisis.
- Teaches teens to involve a responsible and trusted adult as necessary.
Audience | Individual schools or districts, organizations who partner with schools/districts to provide training, youth-serving organizations, and community sites that serve teens are eligible. |
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Size | 16 |
Cost | $2,200/participant (many scholarships available) |
Location | Both virtual and in-person trainings are available |
Length | In Person: 3 - 5 days; Virtual: 1 - 2 hours of asynchronous prework/postwork + 3 -5 hours synchronous (live webinar) and 3 -5 days of virtual instruction |
Benefits | 3 year certification |
Scholarship Requirements | Complete an evaluation for the course, pass the certification test (virtual only), complete follow up evaluations and provide quarterly training data. |
Materials | Training materials will be provided through the National Council and shipped to each participant. They will provide codes for each participant. |
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention: Safely manage & prevent difficult behavior
CPI training programs provide evidence-based strategies and techniques for all levels of educational professionals, from district administrators through classroom staff, with a focus on the Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security of all students and staff with evidenced-based de-escalation and crisis prevention approaches.
OSAH is trained to help implement this tool. Click the button below to schedule a consultation.
This course teaches participants to:
- Prevent escalating behaviors
- Intervene and de-escalate risk behaviors
- Reduce or eliminate use of restraint
Audience | Training is perfect for schools or districts that require a physical and/or non-physical approach to intervention, educators with the skills to safely recognize and respond to everyday crisis situations, counselors, youth-serving organizations. |
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Size | In person: 20 people; Virtual environment: 16 people |
Cost | Schedule a meeting with OSAH to discuss scholarship potential. |
Location | Both virtual and in-person trainings are available |
Length | Length of time depends on modules selected. Consult with OSAH for more specifics. |
Benefits | Receive certification upon completion of all post-work. |
Materials | Materials provided at time of training |

Help save a life!
Trainers from the Office of School and Adolescent Health are certified to provide the following trainings; scholarships may be available. Click the name of each training to learn more about the program, request a training from NMDOH-OSAH for your group, and/or sign up to be notified about future opportunities.
You can also view a list and request a group training at this link.
Interested in a training or resource that doesn't appear below? Contact us.