Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid Trainings and Certifications

The series of four virtual Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid Trainings and Certifications are presented in partnership with Hartford HealthCare and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as part of the CT State Library Division on Library Development’s Growing Community-based Library Services (GCBLS). Between October 2026 through February 2027, there will be two virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid and two virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid with the details shared below.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Thursday, October 22 | 8:30 am – 4 pm

Register: Youth Mental Health First Aid – October 22

Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 8

Early registration is required as you will receive approximate two hours of self-paced prework to be completed in advance of the workshop date.
After the registration deadline, you will receive via email prework instructions and webinar access information.
Completing the prework and workshop in full will provide you with a three-year Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification.

Why Youth Mental Health First Aid?

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.

1 IN 5 teens and young adults lives with a mental health condition. (Source: National Alliance for Mental Illness)
50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by the mid-20s. (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

What Mental Health First Aid Covers

Mental Health First Aid covers:

Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
How to connect the youth with help.
Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.

Presenter:

Presented in partnership with Hartford HealthCare and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as part of DLD's Growing Community-Based Library Services (GCBLS).

Recording and Slides:

Please plan to attend this program as scheduled as it will not be recorded and slides will not be shared.

Who Should Come?

Perfect for anyone interested in youth mental health and receiving the three-year Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification, including Library Directors/Administrators, Children’s and YA Staff, Circulation Staff, and Library Board Members.

Note: Library staff working in an academic setting will be best served by attending Youth Mental Health First Aid. The mental health content is the same while the language used and the methods for how to identify struggles in youth will be more relevant for the new adult age.

Accessibility

This webinar will be captioned. If you require another access service to participate fully, please use the Accommodation Request Form at least 14 days prior to the event.

Upcoming:

Adult Mental Health First Aid

Wednesday, November 18 | 8:30 am – 4 pm

Register: Adult Mental Health First Aid – November 18

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 4

Adult Mental Health First Aid

Wednesday, February 3 | 8:30 am – 4 pm

Register: Adult Mental Health First Aid – February 3

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, January 20

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Wednesday, February 17 | 8:30 am – 4 pm

Register: Youth Mental Health First Aid – February 17

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 3

CT State Library is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.