VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) – The YMCA of Southwest Florida offered a free and important education opportunity for teens in Venice, teaching them how to navigate mental health challenges.
Being a teenager can be challenging, with the CDC reporting over 40% of U.S. high school students reporting persistent feelings of depression in 2023.
Knowing how to identify signs of a mental health crisis and where to turn for help can make a huge impact.
The YMCA of Southwest Florida is stepping up to ensure teens have the right tools to recognize and respond to a mental health crisis with Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
“Peers are normally the first to notice when there is a mental health challenge amongst a group of kids, YMCA of Southwest Florida District Executive Director Liz Nason said.
“We are teaching them how to notice when something is going on with a friend, how to listen, and how to connect them to a trusted adult,” she added.
As a mom, Englewood YMCA community chair Kelsey Visser says she’s seen firsthand the need for action.
“I am noticing more and more that a lot of their friends are in crisis and kind of realizing if that is happening in my own home, I know that it is kind of an epidemic happening in the community.
Visser added that it’s important to get the word out and train leaders to make sure kids get the support they need.
Nason says that the participation of the teens reaffirmed that this type of training is beneficial.
“Everyone here has been super engaged and shared a lot of their experiences and the things they have learned from their friends. one lady shared that a number of her friends have expressed suicidal thoughts and actions, and so I think this is important for everyone to learn” she said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 for immediate assistance.
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