RICHLAND, Wash.– Teen mental first aid is a training program for teens brought to the U.S by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in partnership with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.

According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 64% of teens in the U.S who experience mental health challenges don’t seek help. 

Richland High School Counselor and teen mental health first aid instructor, Chandra Markel, started the process of getting the program to Richland School District (RSD) in 2019.

“What if you saw someone struggling with suicidal ideation or having a panic attack? Would you know what to do? Most of us wouldn’t. So, teen mental health first aid teaches kids how to recognize the warning signs and how to get a trusted adult involved,” Markel said. 

Every 10th-grader in RSD is working to become teen mental health certified. The students will take six, 45-minute lessons, every Wednesday, and when they finish the course they will earn a certificate and an orange wristband that shows other students they are safe people to talk to.

According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the course covers common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, the impact of school violence and bullying on mental health, and how to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult. 

“I’m proud actually about knowing that I know the signs. Knowing that I’m able to help somebody and then have a trusted adult with me to help them in any way possible. Having that orange band just signifies that okay ‘she knows what she’s doing. She knows how to do this and she knows how to take care of me. I can trust her,’” Richland High School Student, Amy Ordaz said. 

Additionally, evidence-based teen mental health first aid uses plain language to ensure learners at all reading levels can easily follow along. 

To learn more about teen mental health first aid, click here.