Youth Mental Wellness Frist Aid

First Presenter's Institution

Partners4Wellness

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Phillip Falcetti, MPH, CHES CEO/Partners4Wellness Faculty/CSULB Phillip Falcetti has over 30 years of experience in the public health field, with numerous professional and community leadership positions in mental health, substance use, alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Partners4Wellness. Since 1998, he acquired over $40 million dollars in grant funding for Partners4Wellness to provide mental health, counseling, therapy, substance use and ATOD prevention service in Southern California. Falcetti has been a guest lecturer and presenter at more than 300 local, state and national conferences and is a faculty member in the Health Science Department at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) since 1999. In 2017, he was recognized by CSULB as the “Most Inspirational Professor.” He also served on the CSULB Alumni Association board of directors and the Health Science graduate advisory council. He serves as the faculty advisor to the Eta Sigma Gamma Health Science Honor Society. During the years of 2008-2011 he was a part-time instructor in the Human Services Department at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. In addition, Falcetti served as past-chair of the Orange County Methamphetamine Task Force, past-president of the Society for Public Health Educators - Southern California Chapter (SOPHE), and past-chair of the Orange County Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition. Falcetti has been an inspirational leader in the mental wellness arena, and was instrumental in creating and obtaining local funding directed toward the transitional aged youth in Orange County. Created the ConnectOC mental wellness movement. He coordinates and participates in the Underage Drinking Task Force, Mental Health Coalition, DUI Prevention Coalition, RX/OTC Drug Workgroup, Marijuana Education Initiative (MEI), National Safe Schools Conference, School Climate Trainings and Conference, California School Resource Officers Association (CSROA), Drug Free Communities project, and the Prevention Coalition of Orange County. In the mid 1990s, he held the position as director of the Arthritis Foundation-Orange County/Long Beach Branch and was nationally recognized for developing the first Children’s Aquatic Therapeutic Program and creating “Bone Builders,” a curriculum and patch program endorsed by the Girl Scouts of America and certified by the National Arthritis Foundation. Falcetti was the first Orange County Health Care Agency staff person focused on tobacco policy earlier in his career. He was influential in affecting millions of lives by authoring no-smoking policies with organizations and businesses such as South Coast Plaza, MainPlace Mall, Anaheim Stadium and Arrowhead Pond, Taco Bell Corporation, as well as numerous cities, restaurants, bars and worksites.

Second Presenter's Institution

Partners4Wellness

Second Presenter’s Email Address

mohammed.forouzesh@csulb.edu

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Mohammed Forouzesh (Dr. Mo) is a Professor at CSULB College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). CSULB College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). Dr. Mo has lifetime of health education knowledge and experience. He coordinates the Research and Development division of Partners4Wellness, and is the founder/president of Assessment & Associates Int.

Document Type

Event

Primary Strand

Mental Health

Relevance to Primary Strand

It is likely that we all know a young person in our lives who is impacted by a mental health disorder. It is important to learn more about how to help because: Research shows that mental health disorders that emerge in childhood tend to be more severe and persist longer than those that emerge later in life. Youth who develop a mental health disorder are also at greater risk for developing additional mental disorders. Half of all mental disorders start by 14 years and are usually preceded by non-specific psychosocial symptoms.

Youth are typically less likely than any other age group to access mental health services because of poor access to appropriate services or the stigma associated with mental illness and treatment. Effective early management is key to preventing the progress of mental disorders. Social isolation, poor functioning, and even death can be prevented through early intervention

Alignment with School Improvement Plan Topics

Leadership / Development

Brief Program Description

The well-being of our youth is one of the most important issues in today's society. Research shows youth are less likely than any other age group to access mental health services. Effective early engagement and referral is critical to preventing the progress of anxiety disorders, social isolation, depression, suicide ideation and poor functioning. Participants will learn strategies to identify and respond to signs of mental health issues in youth, as well as how to refer youth to professional services. Additionally, this session will dive into innovative ways to advocate for mental wellness and incorporate creative approaches to enhance self-care and well-being.

Summary

Trauma is a risk-factor for youth mental health disorders. Ensuring the material is relevant and applicable to a child or adolescent that has experienced trauma is crucial to the efficacy of the training. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10-24 in Orange County. Students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual were more than twice as likely to report depression related feelings. 1 in 5 teens and young adults live with a mental health condition. Early 2021 emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were almost 51% higher among adolescent girls and 4% higher among adolescent boys compared to the same time period in 2019. Half of people with mental illness start experiencing symptoms by age 14. In Orange County, about 4.2% of the adolescent population has experienced serious psychological distress. Of that 4.2%, over 60% did not receive psychological or emotional counseling for their mental health. 18% of youth in Orange County faced multiple barriers when trying to connect to mental health care, with some of the most common challenges being lack of insurance or an ability to pay, inconvenient or delayed appointment times and uncertainty over who to call. 14.7% of 9th graders and 15.4% of 11th graders in Orange County reported contemplating suicide or selfharm. The youth suicide rate in Orange County increased by 11% from 2010 to 2018, the sharpest increase among the 20 most populous counties in the U.S.

Early intervention in mental health is increasingly recognized as one of the best opportunities to alter the trajectory of mental illness and to improve patient outcomes Signs and Symptoms of a Crisis The curriculum prepares participants to feel confident when faced with a youth's mental health crisis. The curriculum gives a brief overview of different mental health disorders and their most common symptoms, how to differentiate between normal adolescent behavior and concerning behavior, and ways to respond appropriately. Positive Coping Skills and Mental Wellbeing Learning about the "8 Dimensions of Wellness" is not only beneficial when helping youth, but it also can be utilized by participants in their own lives. Both the adult and the youth can benefit from learning positive coping skills to replace maladaptive coping skills, and improving their overall wellbeing.

Evidence

The curriculum includes evidence-based trauma-informed material from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The curriculum prepares participants to feel confident when faced with a youth's mental health crisis. The curriculum gives a brief overview of different mental health disorders and their most common symptoms, how to differentiate between normal adolescent behavior and concerning behavior, and ways to respond appropriately.

Trauma is a risk-factor for youth mental health disorders. Ensuring the material is relevant and applicable to a child or adolescent that has experienced trauma is crucial to the efficacy of the training. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10-24 in Orange County. Students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual were more than twice as likely to report depression related feelings. 1 in 5 teens and young adults live with a mental health condition. Early 2021 emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were almost 51% higher among adolescent girls and 4% higher among adolescent boys compared to the same time period in 2019. Half of people with mental illness start experiencing symptoms by age 14. In Orange County, about 4.2% of the adolescent population has experienced serious psychological distress. Of that 4.2%, over 60% did not receive psychological or emotional counseling for their mental health. 18% of youth in Orange County faced multiple barriers when trying to connect to mental health care, with some of the most common challenges being lack of insurance or an ability to pay, inconvenient or delayed appointment times and uncertainty over who to call. 14.7% of 9th graders and 15.4% of 11th graders in Orange County reported contemplating suicide or selfharm. The youth suicide rate in Orange County increased by 11% from 2010 to 2018, the sharpest increase among the 20 most populous counties in the U.S.

Early intervention in mental health is increasingly recognized as one of the best opportunities to alter the trajectory of mental illness and to improve patient outcomes Signs and Symptoms of a Crisis The curriculum prepares participants to feel confident when faced with a youth's mental health crisis. The curriculum gives a brief overview of different mental health disorders and their most common symptoms, how to differentiate between normal adolescent behavior and concerning behavior, and ways to respond appropriately. Positive Coping Skills and Mental Wellbeing Learning about the "8 Dimensions of Wellness" is not only beneficial when helping youth, but it also can be utilized by participants in their own lives. Both the adult and the youth can benefit from learning positive coping skills to replace maladaptive coping skills, and improving their overall wellbeing.

YMHST teaches adults working with youth how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance abuse.

Learning Objective 1

. Knowledge of the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury

Learning Objective 2

A 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to assess the situation, to select and implement appropriate interventions, and to help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional care

Learning Objective 3

Working knowledge of the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem treat and manage the problem and achieve recovery

Learning Objective 4

Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of Mental Wellness First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation

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Youth Mental Wellness Frist Aid

Trauma is a risk-factor for youth mental health disorders. Ensuring the material is relevant and applicable to a child or adolescent that has experienced trauma is crucial to the efficacy of the training. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10-24 in Orange County. Students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual were more than twice as likely to report depression related feelings. 1 in 5 teens and young adults live with a mental health condition. Early 2021 emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were almost 51% higher among adolescent girls and 4% higher among adolescent boys compared to the same time period in 2019. Half of people with mental illness start experiencing symptoms by age 14. In Orange County, about 4.2% of the adolescent population has experienced serious psychological distress. Of that 4.2%, over 60% did not receive psychological or emotional counseling for their mental health. 18% of youth in Orange County faced multiple barriers when trying to connect to mental health care, with some of the most common challenges being lack of insurance or an ability to pay, inconvenient or delayed appointment times and uncertainty over who to call. 14.7% of 9th graders and 15.4% of 11th graders in Orange County reported contemplating suicide or selfharm. The youth suicide rate in Orange County increased by 11% from 2010 to 2018, the sharpest increase among the 20 most populous counties in the U.S.

Early intervention in mental health is increasingly recognized as one of the best opportunities to alter the trajectory of mental illness and to improve patient outcomes Signs and Symptoms of a Crisis The curriculum prepares participants to feel confident when faced with a youth's mental health crisis. The curriculum gives a brief overview of different mental health disorders and their most common symptoms, how to differentiate between normal adolescent behavior and concerning behavior, and ways to respond appropriately. Positive Coping Skills and Mental Wellbeing Learning about the "8 Dimensions of Wellness" is not only beneficial when helping youth, but it also can be utilized by participants in their own lives. Both the adult and the youth can benefit from learning positive coping skills to replace maladaptive coping skills, and improving their overall wellbeing.