​Youth Services Department staff members Elise Powell, LMHC, Youth and Family Counseling, South County and John Harre, BSW, Residential Youth counselor, Highridge Family Center recently completed a three-day Youth Mental Health First-Aid (YMHFA) instructor certification program. They join Tanya L. Tibby, LCSW, chief of Community Based Clinical Services as certified YMHFA Instructors.

The three certified YMHFA instructors will represent YSD's Residential Treatment and Family Counseling Division in the commitment to train all School District personnel and other community providers throughout Palm Beach County on the evidenced-based YMHFA curriculum.

YMHFA 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 five-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.

Congratulations to Elise, John and Tanya on this accomplishment and for your commitment to this cause.