Education

Facts, Information, Skills

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth for ages 10 to 24.
We can change this through education, healthy dialogue, and increasing access to proper mental healthcare.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Mid Coast Hospital–in partnership with NAMI Maine–provides free Youth Mental Health First Aid to our community, including all our middle and high schools.

Specifically designed for people who interact with youth ages 12-18, this nationally certified program is packed with information designed to help you identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health concerns.

Youth Mental Health First Aid helps people understand typical adolescent development and signs and symptoms of potential mental health concerns. Topics are well researched, the lessons are easy to follow, and the format addresses both stigma and how nonprofessionals can help.

The eight-hour course results in a three-year national certification as a Youth Mental Health First Aider. Sub-pay/stipends are available for middle and high school teachers.

NAMI Maine

NAMI Maine is our state’s and the nation's largest grassroots support, education and advocacy organization committed to the issue of mental illness. With seven affiliates and hundreds of members, NAMI Maine is an active voice for families, individuals and professionals whose daily lives are impacted by mental illness. Trainings include, but are not limited to,

NAMI Basics: NAMI Basics is an educational program for parents and primary caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. It covers the fundamentals of caring for yourself, for your family and for your child. 

Family-to-Family: Free, evidence-based, 12-week educational course for family members and friends of people living with mental illness

Ending the Silence: 50-minute program designed for middle and high school audiences and is typically presented in the freshman/sophomore health classes during the mental health portion of the curriculum. This transformational program is devoted to giving students an opportunity to learn about mental illness through an informative PowerPoint, short videos, and personal testimony.

And so much more!

We All Have a Role in Preventing ACEs

Adverse childhood experiences—commonly known as ACEs—affect children and families across all communities. ACEs can impact kids’ health and well-being, and they can have long-term effects on adults’ health and wellness. They can even have consequences that affect entire families, communities, and our whole society. Thankfully, ACEs are preventable.

This training will help you understand, recognize, and prevent ACEs. You’ll learn about risk and protective factors, outcomes associated with ACEs, and evidence-based strategies you can use to reduce or eliminate the impact of ACEs and stop them from occurring in the first place.

This online training begins with two modules designed to increase awareness and understanding of ACEs and ways to prevent them.

These modules are appropriate for anyone interested in learning about ACEs regardless of education level or profession.

 

aces cdc training

Get the knowledge and insights you need to help create healthier, happier childhoods for kids today, and bright futures for adults tomorrow.

Suicide Safe Care Training Portal

In partnership with Maine CDC, Sweetser offers the Suicide Safer Care Training Portal, a tool to provide you FREE online training at no cost to you. The Suicide Safer Care Training Portal aims to increase access to Suicide Safer Care by growing a workforce and community confident in their ability to provide assistance for individuals at risk of suicide.