4-H Builds Resilient Volunteers and Teens for Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In California 4-H, we are empowering both adults and teens to become more equipped to assess and respond to youth with mental health challenges.
In 2020, the National 4-H Council in collaboration with the Harris Poll, surveyed over 1,500 teens to understand their perspectives on mental health. In their findings, National 4-H Council found that:
- 70% wish their schools taught them more about mental health and coping mechanisms.
- 79% wish there was an inclusive environment or safe space for people in school to talk about mental health.
- And 81% believed mental health was a top health issue before COVID-19.
Along with the increase in need of mental health resources, National Council for Mental Wellbeing reported that:
- 1 in 6 youth have a mental health condition, but only 50% receive treatment
- 50% of lifetime mental illness begins by 14 years old
- And, in 2023, 20% of all high school youth seriously considered suicide
To address these youth mental health concerns and needs, California 4-H has partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) certification to 4-H professionals and 4-H adult volunteers. Mental Health First Aid was created in Australia and then brought to the United States in 2008. Similar to First Aid and CPR certification, YMHFA certifies adults using evidence-based curriculum. They learn how to assess and respond to signs of mental health challenges faced by youth ages 12 to 18 years old.
This course provides resources to participants to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge or crisis and to refer youth to professional support when in need. It is not a substitute for professional mental health services, and a person experiencing sever mental health challenges or a crisis should be encouraged to seek professional support or call the 988 hotline.
So far in 2025, California 4-H has certified 68 4-H professionals and 4-H adult volunteers, including external community partners like the YMCA and local school districts. These newly certified Youth Mental Health First Aiders join the 40 that were certified in 2024.
“What was the most helpful part of the course? Why?”
“Having small group discussions after presenting information/techniques was very helpful. It helped us share ideas that we can be more prepared for handling situations.”
“Learning the helpful and non-helpful ways of responding to you that needs someone to listen to them. It gave great ideas on how to be more non-judgemental and listen better.”
“ALGEE. It simplifies something by taking steps that would otherwise be a bit overwhelming.”
Certification for Teens
This year, we are excited that in addition to YMHFA, we are offering teens ages 14 to 18 certification in teen Mental Health First Aid. We welcomed 20 teens into the six week course.
Thanks to support from external grants and gifts, California 4-H is continuing to certify 4-H adults and teens with this training, particularly in communities facing natural disasters and with limited resources. Join California 4-H in becoming certified as a Youth Mental Health First Aider or teen Mental Health First Aider! To become certified, please stay tuned for upcoming certification opportunities in the next program year or reach out to the California 4-H State Office. For additional resources, please see the list below.
