The Camden County Family Support Organization (FSO) was one of 36 groups that received a grant in November from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to train teens on how to recognize signs of mental-health disorders and substance abuse issues in their peers.
The nonprofit hopes to train at least 75 teens in the area over the next few months through a program called Mental-Health First Aid (MHFA). Linnet Reed, a Family Support Partner with the county FSO, explained that people typically get connected to her organization through Perform Care of New Jersey and the New Jersey Children’s System of Care Division.
FSO offers support groups, education, advocacy and care management.
While it normally serves referred families, Reed and FSO Office Manager Myra Salcedo hope to expand their reach and make a larger impact on the community.
“Our goal is to start within our organization and branch out, make connections to other community agencies, churches, support groups, and really spread the word about the importance of removing the stigma,” Reed said.
FSO applied for its grant after becoming certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (YMHFA) in July. The teen course also allows adults to become certified to teach the program.
“We’re arming these kids so they themselves can feel empowered, so that they can reach out and connect with a friend and know the steps to take,” said Reed.
“There is hope; ultimately it’s to prevent suicide and substance use overdose and challenges.”
The course takes place over several sessions spread out across a week or more. It focuses on the impact of school violence and bullying on mental health, how to open a conversation about mental-health challenges, and how to get help from a trusted adult. The training is done both in person and virtually.
“Through that series of sessions, young people are able to not only get the background info and knowledge, but they do a lot of exercises through participatory learning,” explained Tramaine EL-Amin, Client Experience Officer at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
“They’re able to engage with scenarios and talk about how they would approach certain situations.”
The county FSO team wants to launch the program for teens in January.
“Ultimately, Myra and I will keep doing it as much as the demand is,” Reed said. “If we can do 150, 250, we would absolutely love it.”
Schools, groups or organizations interested in partnering with the FSO to provide training should contact Linnet Reed at linnet.reed@camdenfso.org or Myra Salcedo at myra.salcedo@camdenfso.org.
To learn more about the teen Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid training programs, visit https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/teens/.
