Take the First Step Toward Suicide Prevention
Gain the confidence, tools, and knowledge to support youth mental health and promote safety in your home and community. This free training combines Youth Mental Health First Aid and Safety Planning Intervention—two evidence-based programs designed to help adults recognize warning signs, respond to mental health challenges, and take proactive steps during moments of crisis in adolescents ages 12–18.
Through interactive instruction and hands-on safety planning exercises, you’ll learn to navigate difficult conversations, reduce risk, and offer meaningful support. The training covers typical adolescent development, common concerns such as anxiety, depression, and substance use, and introduces a proven 5-step action plan to guide your response—whether in a crisis or everyday situation.
Please note: This training includes 2 hours of required self-paced pre-course work prior to the live session.
What You’ll Gain
- A 5-step action plan (ALGEE) to recognize and respond to youth mental health and substance use challenges
- Practical tools to create personalized safety plans and reduce access to lethal means during high-risk moments
- Greater confidence to step in with care and support someone in emotional distress or crisis
Certifications & CEUs
Upon completion, this session qualifies for continuing education units (CEUs) and professional certifications:
- Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): 3-year certification | 6 CEUs
- Safety Planning Intervention: 1-year certification | 2 CEUs
To request your certificate and a CEU submission form for state certification, please email us after attending the training.
Please note: This training includes 2 hours of required self-paced pre-course work prior to the live session.
About Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adolescents ages 12–18. Using a 5-step action plan (ALGEE), you’ll learn how to assess risk, listen without judgment, and connect youth to professional help. YMHFA helps you build the confidence to step in when someone may be struggling. Scenarios and exercises make the learning practical, so you leave ready to help in real-life situations.
About Safety Planning Intervention
Safety Planning Intervention provides practical tools to support someone in crisis using an evidence-based approach to reduce risk and promote well-being. Through real-life examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll develop skills to recognize warning signs, create personalized safety plans, and take meaningful steps to keep yourself or others safe.
About Suicide Prevention Training
Suicide prevention trainings help prepare individuals to respond to someone in crisis. You'll learn how to recognize risk, offer support, and take meaningful steps to keep someone safe. Learn more about suicide prevention trainings. Download our Suicide Prevention Toolkit for practical tools, resources, and guidance to support someone in crisis.
This Event is Open To
This event is open to individuals nationwide. This training is designed for adults who want to support youth ages 12-18, not for the youth themselves. If you're looking for training designed for teens to help their peers, Teen MHFA is available for ages 9-18. Eligibility varies by session. Check Eventbrite for details on other offerings.
Take the First Step Toward Suicide Prevention–Sign up Today!
Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsntraining@austin.utexas.edu.
