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Some teachers spend summer learning to recognize mental health concerns among students


Youth Mental Health First Aid trains educators to recognize the signs of anxiety, depression, a mental health crisis, etc. and equips them to know how best to get that child help.{ }
Youth Mental Health First Aid trains educators to recognize the signs of anxiety, depression, a mental health crisis, etc. and equips them to know how best to get that child help.
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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - It may be summer but teachers are already preparing to welcome students back to class in just a couple of months for a more normal school year.

Some teachers are spending this time getting their own lessons in how to recognize mental health concerns among their students.

Youth Mental Health First Aid trains educators to recognize the signs of anxiety, depression, a mental health crisis, etc., and equips them to know how best to get that child help.

Kings Local School District has been prioritizing mental health. Social Emotional Health Coordinator, Kim Sellers, says it’s even important because of the pandemic. The Youth Mental Health First Aid training isn’t mandatory for teachers but Sellers says many are taking advantage of it this summer.

"Many of our teachers have come to me and said, ‘I’m just not sure if this is normal what I’m looking at, is this normal developmental or maybe just some defiance?’ and it can also look different too, like depression in boys sometimes looks like defiance so it’s very helpful just to be able to know the signs, symptoms and to destigmatize it so we can talk about it more and create more awareness,” explained Sellers.

The training isn’t new but the desire for it is growing. It’s also evolved over several years. Sellers says it initially focused on anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use and mental health crises. It has now expanded to include training in trauma, self-care, addiction, social media and bullying.

“I think it’s just really important to recognize and know what to do and what to say and to just give our teachers that toolbox of tools that they can use when a student does present in their class that they might be worried about,” Sellers said.

Beckett Springs just sponsored training for teachers. Kings Local School District regularly partners with Beech Acres. Both will host a training session for Kings parents and caregivers on August 4th on supporting your child’s mental health while they transition back to school after COVID.

There are many providers of Youth Mental Health First Aid and it’s not just for teachers. Parents can use it as well as coaches and youth pastors. You can find an instructor or course HERE.

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