Youth & Family

Education

Youth & Family Services develops curriculum, both manuals and PowerPoints, as well as offers presentations to parents/caregivers, youth, educators, mental health professionals, and community members

Our goal is to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, and education systems.

Additionally, the Youth & Family Services department offers a number of family education, trainings, and opportunities to further support our children, including,

• Access to Certificated Family Peer Specialists.
• Key Warning Signs of Early Mental Illness in Children.
• Suicide Prevention.
• Sources of Strength.
• Circle of Parents.
• Support Groups.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification Training.

Developing Self-Advocacy Skills

Parents will develop a sense of self-awareness (identify values, interests, and desires); know the type of support that is anticipated; and articulate these needs to individuals or agencies for appropriate services.

The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health has a long history of providing suicide prevention education and training. Key MACMH staff are certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid and have presented this curriculum to organizations and community groups across the State. Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peer, neighbors, health and human service workers and other caring citizens how to help an adolescents (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or crisis.

Additionally, MACMH staff are also certified to train of the Changing the Narrative program. This program is an upstream suicide prevention conversation designed by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Taskforce.

Lastly, the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health has created a Key Warning Signs and Suicide Prevention training specifically designed to meet the Minnesota State statute and Minnesota Board requirements for educators to meet licensure recertification guidelines for suicide prevention continuing education.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a model program managed, operated, and disseminated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.  Training participants are adults who interact with young people ages 12-18.  The course teaches one how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses, mental health crisis, and substance use disorders.  The training gives one the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to some having a mental health challenge or crisis. One is certified as a Youth Mental Health First Aider upon completion of the 8-hour course.  In order to become an instructor of YMHFA, one needs to take the instructor training from the National Council on Mental Wellness. There are other versions of this Mental Health First Aid training, including Teen Mental Health First Aid, in which participants are teenagers who will be certified to reach out to peers who are exhibiting in a mental health crisis and guide them to adult helpers.

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/about/

Sources of Strength (SOS) is a SAMHSA model program listed on the National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices (NREPP).  SOS is a strength-based, comprehensive wellness program that focuses on suicide prevention and also impacts other issues such as substance abuse and violence.  The program is usually school based, using teams of Peer Leaders mentored by Adult Advisors to change peer social norms abut help seeking and encourages students to individually assess and develop strengths in their life. It emphasizes connectivity, school bonding, peer adult partnerships, and help seeking behaviors.  (Ongoing during the school year)

https://sourcesofstrength.org/discover/faq/

Key Warning Signs and Interventions of Mental Health Disorders in

Children and Adolescents & Youth Suicide Prevention

This two-part presentation fulfills the requirements for re-licensure for Minnesota educators in Key Warning Signs and Suicide Prevention in Youth. It is also appropriate for other professionals who work with youth. The first part of the presentation examines risk factors, early warning signs, and educational implications of common mental health disorders for children and teens.  Professionals learn teaching styles, interventions, and accommodations to lessen the negative impact of children’s mental health disorders on a young person’s social, emotional, and academic success. The second half of the presentation examines best practices for suicide awareness, prevention, intervention and postvention for youth.  Participants will learn to recognize suicidal ideation, support the youth through a mental health crisis, and to encourage and guide them to appropriate professional care.  (3 hours/3CEHs)

Changing the Narrative on Mental Health and Suicide

Changing the Narrative on Mental Health and Suicide was developed by the Suicide Prevention Taskforce led by the Minnesota Department of Health for use by mental health agencies and community health educators for a general audience of community members including parents and caregivers.  The presentation helps participants understand the importance of using appropriate language when talking about mental health and suicide through healthy conversations.  It emphasizes protective factors and warning signs for young people at risk.  Best practices for de-escalation and crisis intervention for a youth in distress are examined. A public health model approach discussing the eight dimensions of wellness and a holistic approach to recovery are part of the training tools for improving mental health to move a person up the continuum from mental distress to mental wellness.  (2.5 hours)

Family Support

Building supportive relationships with families and caregivers is a main goal of Youth & Family Services. Through parent programs, assisting caregivers in developing self-advocacy skills, and offering referrals to community resources, MACMH is aiming to strengthen the mental health of all families.

Additionally, Youth & Family Services provides direct advocacy for families by accompanying them at meetings, court hearings, and school IEP meetings. 

Community Resource Referrals

Parents will collaborate with the parent support specialist to get their needs assessed and understand family goals.

The support specialist will serve as a systems navigator and partner to aid parents in receiving necessary guidance.

They will facilitate conversations that will help agencies understand the parent’s concerns.

Every Mind Matters

Every Mind Matters Academy is a 12-week gathering of parents sharing encouragement and identifying common issues. Through the sharing of experiences, they’re able to offer and receive,

• A reminder they are not alone.
• Develop tips on self-care to aid parents in reducing fatigue and burnout.
• Access resources and build a network of encouragement and support.
• Build self-advocacy skills.
• Seek hope, honor, help, and laughter.