Stamford’s Youth Mental Health First Aid training gives adults tools to help kids in crisis

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An event in Stamford is addressing the growing mental health crisis among young people in the United States. The Stamford Youth Mental Health Alliance is offering free Youth Mental Health First Aid training sessions in Stamford. It's designed for adults who regularly interact with young people like parents, teachers, coaches and youth ministers. Denique Lewis, with the Stamford Youth Mental Health Alliance, is aiming to equip adults with the knowledge and tools to identify and support young people facing mental health and substance use challenges. "We know that when people are able to have open conversations, it leads to better outcomes. It leads to people being able to receive the treatment and support that they need," said Lewis. "Our kids are suffering and a lot of times they might not know how to talk about it. They might not know how to go to a parent to even bring up the subject and parents may not be even equipped to ask their kids," said Melissa LoParco, with Stamford Youth Mental Health Alliance. Youth mental health first aid training includes: - Signs, symptoms to look out for - How to interact with kids in crisis - How to connect youth with help Experts believe that when more people are trained to start these crucial conversations, young people are more likely to receive the help they need. There are more sessions coming up next month and in December. "