Mental Health First Aid for Schools & Youth Organizations

At Uplift, we believe that protecting youth mental health starts with empowering the adults who guide them. Our Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) program equips educators, school staff, and mentors with the real skills needed to support adolescents facing mental health or substance use challenges.

Mental Health First Aid

Youth MHFA is a skills-based, evidence-based training program designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents (ages 12-18). It gives you a clear action plan to help a young person who is experiencing a mental health challenge or is in crisis.

Peer-reviewed studies show that individuals trained in MHFA

Identify signs of anxiety, depression, substance use, and eating disorders in youth.

De-escalate crisis situations (like self-harm or panic attacks) safely.

Understand the unique impacts of social media, bullying, and academic pressure on adolescent mental health.

Confidently connect young people to school and community resources early.

Mental Health First Aid Training

What's Included

MHFA can be brought to your organization virtually or in-person.

Three Collaborative Prep Calls
Communication Kit
Mental Health Resources One Pager for your Organization
Press Release Kit
MHFA Participant Guide and Manual
Post-Training feedback Call

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Mental Health First Aid training?

Virtual: 6.5 hours | In-Person: 7.5 hours (includes 2 hours of self-paced prep)

Can we use funding or grants for this?

Yes. Many school districts and non-profits successfully utilize Title funding, mental health grants, or community wellness budgets to bring this training to their teams.

How is the program structured?

The Mental Health First Aid Certification course is delivered in one full day or two half-days with an additional 2 hours of pre- and post-work in the Mental Health First Aid Connect online system.

Can we customize the content?

The content follows the MHFA curriculum which needs to be followed to receive the certification. Ask us about supplemental, shorter, or follow-up trainings.

Do you provide promotional materials?

Yes, our Communication Kit provides
ready-to-use emails, images, and flyers to boost sign-ups. You will also receive a press release template.

Where do we serve?

We can deliver this training anywhere in the United States either virtually or in-person.

How many people can attend the course?

The maximum amount of people varies. Typically training ranges from 15 to 30 people per group. Contact us for more information.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid

Did you have more questions? Schedule time with us to chat about empowering your teams to support each other and create a culture of care.

Download our School Board or Director Letter

Need approval or budget to bring this training to your school or youth program? Use our easy-to-customize template to outline the impact, logistics, and safety benefits of Youth MHFA for your administration.

What Our Participants Say

"Learning exactly what to do if a youth is struggling with a severe crisis, such as an overdose, was incredibly valuable. I was simply not aware of the proper procedures to take before."

"This course has better prepared me for the work that I do professionally. I found the material highly relevant to my professional work and would like to expand upon this knowledge to ensure the best outcomes for a diverse audience."

"The presentation was wonderful, very patient, and highly engaging. The environment was open for questions while maintaining excellent time management."

Do You Need To Protect Your Staff?

Many school districts and youth organizations choose a Dual-Impact Package. We train your teams in Youth MHFA to support the adolescents they serve, and Adult MHFA to help staff members support one another, reduce burnout, and build a stronger workforce.