Los Alamos JJAB 

Providing Youth and their Families with Programs and Services 

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (for adults)

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Los Alamos JJAB normally provides 4 to 5 training opportunities per year.  The training is free to participants and includes all materials.  Currently sessions are being conducted through remote learning.  The sessions are open to any person living in Los Alamos County or a surrounding Northern New Mexico community.  Most classes are co-facilitated by certified trainers, Danielle Sutherland and Georgina Mesibov.  

With financial support from Con Alma Health Foundation, to date Los Alamos JJAB has been able to provide this training to 413 individuals.

"This class empowers people to help." - Training Participant

The course will teach you how to apply the ALGEE action plan:

  • Assess for risk of suicide or harm
  • Listen nonjudgmentally
  • Give reassurance and information
  • Encourage appropriate professional help
  • Encourage self-help and other support strategies

64.1% of youth
with major depression
do not receive any
mental HEALTH TREATMENT.
National Alliance for Mental Illness 

1 in 5 teens & young
adults lives with a
mental HEALTH CONDITION.
National Alliance for Mental Illness

5.13% of youth report
having a substance use
or ALCOHOL PROBLEM.
Mental Health America 

"This is a great resource to develop trust and assist at-risk youth" -Training participant

Online training is now available.  Check out our events page for upcoming dates.