The Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance provides training opportunities to build the knowledge and skills of anyone who hopes to promote mental health and wellness, effectively intervene with people experiencing mental health challenges, and support suicide prevention efforts

Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance

Training Events

Our training events (in person and virtually) are offered throughout the fiscal year. To find the next scheduled event, search below. Training on demand (self-paced) can be found via search or browsing through the recorded webinar descriptions below. To schedule an event, contact mhrc@prevention.org.

Live Training: Classroom (In Person or Virtual) and Webinars

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid mentalhealthfirstaid.org/  
Adult, Youth, & Teen 
Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Learn more about Adult MHFA, Youth MHFA, and Teen MHFA.

Search below for upcoming dates. 

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR)

QPR qprinstitute.com/  
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year, thousands of Americans like you are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. QPR can be learned in our Gatekeeper course in about one hour. Learn more about QPR. 

Search below for upcoming dates. 

safeTALK

safeTALK livingworks.net/training/livingworks-safetalk/  
LivingWorks safeTALK is a four-hour training that equips people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. Using a simple yet effective model, LivingWorks safeTALK empowers everyone to make a difference. With over 120,000 people attending each year, it’s the world’s fastest-growing suicide prevention skills training course. Learn more about safeTALK.

Search below for upcoming dates. 

Recorded Webinars

Navigating Cross-Cultural Communication about Mental Health

This webinar was recorded on January 29, 2025. CEUs are not available for recorded webinars.

Stigma around mental health challenges can vary by community or cultural background. Dr. Fenton and Dr. Huber discuss different ways to communicate with youth and families about mental health using an approach of cultural humility. This is the first in our webinar series aimed to address suicide prevention best practices, strategies, and innovative ideas.

View Recording


Live Webinar

Developing Trust in Cross-Cultural Relationships: Applying Trauma and Attachment Theories to Suicide Prevention Webinar

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description

Join Prevention First and AllianceChicago for an interactive webinar as we continue conversations about developing trust in cross-cultural relationships. 

 

Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to recognize and respond to attachment needs of young people who have experienced trauma
  • Participants will demonstrate an awareness of how their own experiences may shape their responses in therapeutic relationships

 

Dr. Brenda Huber, PhD - Experienced leader and systems consultant with a demonstrated history of working in higher education and multiple child-serving sectors. Having served as a school psychologist and an outpatient therapist, she is currently providing systems-consultation to communities engaging in collaborative and innovative solutions to children's mental health needs. 

Dr. Rebekah Fenton MD, MPH, FAAP is a general pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. She is an emerging leader in health equity focused medicine through her passionate care for marginalized youth, speaking and writing-based advocacy, and innovative leadership.

Read More
Virtual Classroom

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training - MHTTA April

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
11:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Online
Description

During this course, you will learn how to support young people in your life and your work.

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12-18. You will build the skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to young people who are struggling. You will also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.

After the course, you will be able to:

  • Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
  • Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
  • Understand how to interact with a young person in crisis.
  • Know how to connect a young person with help.
  • Better understand trauma, suicidal ideation, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.
Read More
Live Webinar

Motivational Interviewing in Youth Suicide Prevention

Wednesday, April 09, 2025
01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Online
Description

Join Prevention First's Mental Health and Technical Assistance Team as we host a webinar on Motivational Interviewing (MI) with a focus on youth suicide prevention. During this webinar, we will be discussing different ways to encourage engagement and rapport-building with youth who may be struggling with their mental health or experiencing suicidal ideation. 

Nick Szubiak, MSW - Nick brings more than 20 years of experience in direct service, administration and clinical experience to the healthcare field. He is the Principal of NSI Strategies, an organization that provides support to integrated healthcare environments. His experience includes MAT implementation, FQHC integration models and partnerships, trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented systems of care, health homes, and developing high-functioning teams to provide integrated care to the communities they serve.

Read More
Virtual Classroom

April Power Hour: Stress Awareness Month

Monday, April 14, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description

Join Prevention First's Mental Health Training & Technical Assistance team for a Power Hour Session during Stress Awareness Month. In this session, we will have an interactive discussion on ways to reduce stress in our suicide prevention and mental health work and ways we can collaborate to create healthier communities. 

Read More
Virtual Classroom

May Power Hour: Mental Health Awareness Month

Monday, May 12, 2025
01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Online
Description

Join Prevention First's Mental Health Training & Technical Assistance team for a Power Hour Session during Mental Health Awareness Month. In this session, we will have an interactive discussion on how to navigate mental health stigma and the importance of mental health awareness in schools and communities.

Read More
Virtual Classroom

June Power Hour: Pride and Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

Monday, June 16, 2025
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Online
Description

Join Prevention First's Mental Health Training & Technical Assistance Team for a Power Hour Session during Pride and Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. In this session, we will have an interactive discussion on ways to support LGBTQIA+ people and men in the unique struggles those populations face with their mental health. 

Read More
Recorded Webinar

Navigating Cross-Cultural Communication about Mental Health (Recording)

Online
Description

This webinar was recorded on January 29, 2025. CEUs are not available for recorded webinars.

Stigma around mental health challenges can vary by community or cultural background. Dr. Fenton and Dr. Huber discuss different ways to communicate with youth and families about mental health using an approach of cultural humility. This is the first in our webinar series aimed to address suicide prevention best practices, strategies, and innovative ideas.

 

 

Dr. Rebekah Fenton, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a general pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. She is an emerging leader in health equity focused medicine through her passionate care for marginalized youth, speaking and writing-based advocacy, and innovative leadership.

Dr. Brenda Huber, PhD - Experienced leader and systems consultant with a demonstrated history of working in higher education and multiple child-serving sectors. Having served as a school psychologist and an outpatient therapist, she currently provides systems-consultation to communities engaging in collaborative and innovative solutions to children's mental health needs. 

Read More