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. To schedule an event, contact MHTTA@prevention.org.

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 health challenges 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.

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.

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.


Virtual Classroom

QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer - New Year, New Challenges

Thursday, January 23, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description
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 help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn, in a short timeframe, how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. 
 
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34 (CDC, 2023). 22% of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide, and 10% attempted suicide in the past year (CDC, 2023). Bringing in a New Year can be exciting for many, but can also be a challenging time filled with change and transitions. Join Prevention First’s Mental Health Training & Technical Assistance Team for a virtual QPR training with a focus on preventing suicide among young people during the New Year.
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Live Webinar

Navigating Cross-Cultural Communication about Mental Health Webinar

Wednesday, January 29, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description

Join our webinar on navigating cross-cultural communication about mental health. Stigma around mental health challenges can vary by community or cultural background. 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 is currently providing systems-consultation to communities engaging in collaborative and innovative solutions to children's mental health needs. 

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Virtual Classroom

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (MHTTA)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
10:00 AM - 03:30 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.
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Recorded Webinar

QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer - Youth Suicide Prevention

Thursday, March 06, 2025
03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Online
Description
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 help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn, in a short timeframe, how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. 
 
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34 (CDC, 2023). 22% of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide, and 10% attempted suicide in the past year (CDC, 2023). Join Prevention First for a virtual QPR training with a focus on preventing suicide among young people.
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