Youth Mental Health First Aid

(Training for Adults Only)

Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, 14391 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22193

The cost of this course is free and includes class material. The class schedule includes a 30-minute break around noon; bring your own lunch.

A certified mental health professional from the Prince William County Community Services office provides this course. It is for any adult who works with youth in our community and does not require registration in Scouting America.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people is poor mental health. We have seen a significant increase in mental disorders in youth, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. It is important for us as Scout leaders to be equipped to recognize youth who are struggling with mental health challenges.

First Aid is the process of identifying symptoms and providing corrective action to stabilize the person and facilitate assistance. Mental Health First Aid is knowing the signs of mental issues for another person and how to stabilize and assist that person with finding the appropriate professional help.

As adult volunteers working with youth, we encounter numerous situations that require our first aid skills, ranging from simple scrapes to more serious injuries. This also applies to the mental health of our youth, from simple cases of depression to the more serious mental disorders that can lead to youth suicide. In this course, you will learn to:

• Know how to identify the symptoms of mental health.
• Preserve life when a person may be a danger to themselves or others.
• Prevent the problem from becoming more serious.
• Provide comfort and support as well as promote recovery.
• Help to identify or guide a person to appropriate resources and support.

If you have questions, contact Adam Caudle at caudlea@hotmail.com