The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a huge toll on not just the physical health but the mental health of the nation-and our young people are not immune. As we enter a new, very uncertain academic school year, it's important for parents, school personnel, etc., to know the signs that a young person is struggling with their mental health. Under this project, 100 women will be trained in rendering aid to an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
Life during a pandemic is complicated. Adolescents are dealing with changes to routines, school, and socializing. Most of the young people who took a screen at mhascreening.org between April - July 2020 mentioned loneliness and isolation as the main things contributing to their struggles. When mental illnesses start at this stage of life, they can affect the young person's education, ability to work, and form relationships (including marriage), and they can lead to the use of alcohol and drugs.
Early identification of mental health and substance use conditions can alleviate enormous suffering for young people and their families. Under this project, women will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify, understand, and respond to signs of common mental illnesses and substance use disorders in youth. They will learn a 5-step action plan to reach out to a youth in crisis and connect them to professional, peer, or other help. They will learn Mental Health First Aid.
Despite the disabling nature of mental health problems, research and experience has demonstrated that youth with mental illnesses can live full lives and be contributing members of society. This project will enable 100 women to prevent mental health related crisis in young people. These women will understand strategies to intervene early and access appropriate treatment. Mental Health First Aid can have a prevention and treatment value, but its primary impact is early intervention.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
