The Health Department is offering several Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings to the public this spring and summer. The full-day workshops provide adults with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and support adolescents who are at risk or displaying warning signs of mental health/substance use problems or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid workshop details:

• Dates: May 3, June 21, and July 13, 2018
• Time: 8:00-8:30 a.m. registration and refreshments, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. workshop, with a 30-minute lunch break on your own.
• Location: Lake County Health Department, 3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL.
• Cost: $20 per participant.
• Advanced registration is required. Visit www.lakecountyil.gov/3980/Training-Opportunities or call Angela Stefani at (847) 377-8961 for more information, or to schedule a private group training for your business or organization.

A 2012 report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that 5 percent of children nationally between the ages of 4-17 had a serious emotional disturbance (SED). Previous research suggested the number may be as high as 9-13 percent. Based on these figures, it is estimated that between 9,890 (5 percent) and 25,714 (13 percent) of children in Lake County may have experienced an SED. Additionally, a state report on mental illness for youth and adults found that approximately 7 percent of Illinois youth under age 18 have a serious emotional disorder.

In January 2017, the Health Department’s Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services (CABS) program received a grant from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation to help increase public understanding of mental illness and how to respond to youth experiencing a mental health crisis through the implementation of Mental Health First Aid. The training curriculum is provided through USA Mental Health First Aid, www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org.

About Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services

The Lake County Health Department’s Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Services (CABS) program provides counseling and case management services to Lake County youth and their families. CABS staff provide culturally competent care and strive to help youth and their families develop positive coping techniques, communication skills and the means to manage mental health issues while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For more information, call (847) 377-8950.