Eatontown, NJ. May 22, 2024 – Young people across the nation continue to face a mental health crisis. The RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) has responded to this growing issue through its Mental Health Awareness Training grant, which addresses youth mental health challenges in Ocean County. The grant utilizes two training programs to teach adults and teens to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in youth. Currently, in its first year, the grant has already trained close to 1,000 Ocean County residents, including 90 teachers and staff from Toms River Regional School District’s three high schools and 300 11th-grade students at Lacey Township High School.
Recent statistics are startling, with 10.2 percent of youth will be diagnosed with a substance use disorder in their lifetime, and one in five young adults live with a mental health condition. Of those diagnosed with mental illnesses, 50 percent will be diagnosed by age 14, and 75 percent will be diagnosed by their mid-20s.
To combat this growing issue, the program trains adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid, developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, covering topics such as:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges within the age group, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD);
- Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges;
- How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis;
- How to connect youth with help; and
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.
Additionally, the program trains 10th-12th graders in teen Mental Health First Aid, also from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Topics include:
- How to open the conversation about mental health and substance use challenges;
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges;
- The impact of school violence and bullying on mental wellbeing; and
- How to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult.
The evidence behind the programs demonstrate that they build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. Post-training, program participants have reported an increase of knowledge in recognizing signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges (+38.6%), an increased ability to explain the impact of traumatic experiences and the role of resilience in the lives of youth (+59.8%) and an increase in the knowledge and ability to demonstrate the role of a Mental Health First Aider (+69.8%).
“It’s heartbreaking to see the growing number of youths facing mental health struggles every day, with many suffering silently since they do not fully understand the depth of what they are experiencing or how to ask for help. That is where the Youth Mental Health First Aid Program comes in,” said Connie Greene, Senior Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery. “Our goal is to help adults develop a better understanding of these conditions and encourage teens to seek out help from trusted adults.”
Participants in Youth Mental Health First Aid, who can range from teachers and school staff to coaches, camp counselors, parents and more, have access to several training formats, including a mix of virtual and hybrid options. Training is available through Ocean County schools, community organizations and other youth-serving groups.
Teacher Jennifer Huey at Toms River Regional School District recently completed Youth Mental Health First Aid and said, "Attending the Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Youth Mental Health First Aid training gave me the confidence and knowledge to engage in deeper and more meaningful conversations with my students. By having trusted adults in the school, students have the support and guidance they need to navigate challenges and thrive academically, emotionally and socially.”
The IFPR grant program brings Youth and teen Mental Health First Aid trainings to communities throughout Ocean County through the Mental Health Awareness Training Grant — $600,000 over three years — awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant works in close collaboration with IFPR’s other Ocean County-based prevention programs, including the DART Prevention Coalition, Toms River and Barnegat Communities That Care and the Southern Ocean County Interfaith Advocacy and Leadership (SOCIAL) Network. IFPR was the only organization in New Jersey to be awarded this grant in 2023.
To learn more about the program, please email Brian Preiser, MA, Manager, Mental Health Awareness Training, at brian.preiser@rwjbh.org.
About the Institute for Prevention and Recovery
The RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) is a leader in creating the systems and services necessary to improve the health of communities throughout New Jersey. For over 30 years, IFPR has provided substance use disorder prevention programs, nicotine and tobacco treatment and innovative recovery support and social care services, taking a system change approach to address social determinants of health and enhance care delivery systems throughout RWJBarnabas Health and New Jersey.
Media Contact:
Jaimee Cali
jaimee.cali@rwjbh.org
732-288-5334