Mental Health First Aid Training at Lutheran Family Services

What is Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA)? 

Someone you know may be experiencing a mental illness or addiction crisis. MHFA training provides the skills to reach out and offer the initial help and support needed. The training teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health diagnosis signs and symptoms and employ crisis de-escalation techniques. 

Lutheran Family Services (LFS) offers two options for its MHFA training sessions: Youth and Adult. Training is also offered in person or virtually. 

Adult VS. Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. 

LFS MHFA training for adults focuses on community members, friends, family, veterans, immigrants, and seniors within the communities, as well as faith-based congregations and individuals working in public safety.  

Youth mental health first aid teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.  

Youth Mental Health First Aid Stats You Should Know. 

In 2018, the rate of youth deaths in Nebraska due to suicide was 7.9 per 100,000 youth. For American Indian youth, the rate was 19.0 per 100,000, and for Asian youth, the rate was 13.1 per 100,000, reflecting a major health disparity. (1) 

The 2018 Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey (NRPFSS) reported that 16.3% of 8th-grade students, 17.7% of 10th-graders, and 16.3% of 12th-grade students had considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months. (2) 

Data from the 2018 YRBS shows that 17.7% of students considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months; 12/7% were male, and 22.8% were female. (3) 

What Does MHFA Training Cover? 

Youth Training: 

• The skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to assist students in crisis to connect with the appropriate local mental healthcare services. 
• Mental health resources, including the location of local community mental health centers. 
• Action plans and protocols for referral to such resources. 

Adult Training: 

• Trains the appropriate personnel to identify persons with mental disorders and employ crisis de-escalation techniques.  
• Teaches individuals to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health diagnosis, severe mental illness, and serious emotional disturbances. 
• Increase mental health awareness training for families, communities, congregations, and professionals to build support and capacity for mental health services.  

For more information and to schedule a training session, contact Julie Taylor-Costello at julie.taylor-costello@OneLFS.org or call (402)312-1172. 

1. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – Vital Statistics.
2. Bureau of Sociological Research, Nebraska Risk and Protective Facto Survey (NRPFSS).
3. Nebraska Department of Education – Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Fremont Family Friends 

You are invited! Reserve your seat online for Fremont Family Friends, our next fundraising event. Through 2023, LFS has provided over 3,800 services, everything from mental health and substance use treatments to parenting classes. We need your help to continue this positive impact. Reserve your seat now – we can’t wait to see you there! 

Events/Training 

• 5/27 – Memorial Day – Offices Closed
• 5/30 – Give to Lincoln Day 2024 
• 6/4 – Fremont Family Friends
• 6/8 or 6/15 – Youth Mental Health First Aid Training 
• 6/26 – Crisis Intervention Partners  
• 7/22 – Crisis Intervention Training