Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors and health and human services workers and any other citizen how to identify, understand and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

Youth Mental Health First Aid has been provided accessible to teachers, administrators and staff in Duval County Public Schools since 2014 under the AWARE 4 Duval grant. In 2018, YMHFA expanded under the AWARE 4 All grant, providing additional training sessions and incorporating the online renewal program.

In 2018, The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Safety Act, SB 7030, required all teachers, administrators and staff to complete YMHFA training. Once an individual is trained in YMHFA, their YMHFA certificate is valid for 3 years. YMHFA certificates MUST be renewed to be in compliance with the State Law.

Consistent with section 1012.584, Florida Statutes (F.S.), the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has identified an evidence-based, nationally recognized youth mental health awareness and assistance training program to help school personnel identify and understand the signs of mental health concerns and substance use disorders, and provide such personnel with the next steps to find help for a person who is developing or experiencing mental health concerns or a substance use disorder. The evidence-based, nationally recognized youth mental health awareness and assistance training program identified by the FDOE is Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA).

Effective November 22, 2022, Rule 6A-1.094120, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), requires annual certification that at least 80 percent of school personnel in a school district, including school personnel at charter schools, have completed the approved youth mental health awareness training.