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    Mental Health First Aid

    Mental Health First Aid

    MP17 - Youth Mental Health First Aid and Improving School Connectedness

    Monday, May 5, 2025
    11:45 AM – 12:15 PM ET
    Location: Hall BCD
    School connectedness may reduce risk factors for mental health conditions in adolescents attending high school and serve as an environmental protective factor. Evidence-based mental health awareness training programs facilitate high school connectedness among teachers, school staff, and adolescents. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) teaches skills and shares knowledge for high school staff and teachers to recognize the signs and symptoms of changing mental health among students. YMHFA reminds us that having one caring adult contact and a supportive environment at a school can make a difference in preventing untreated mental illness.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Explore the concept of school connectedness as it relates to adolescent mental health and well-being.
    • Identify the power of specific environmental protective factors for adolescents available within the high school setting.
    • Demonstrate how the core skills of school connectedness are taught in the Youth Mental Health First Aid course, impacting our nation's educators and students.

      Poster Presenter(s)

    • Sharon V. Munroe, DrPH(c), MBA, MPH, CHWI

      Doctoral Candidate, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Community Health Worker Instructor, and Doctoral Candidate
      UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
      Austin, Texas