GARDNER, Kan. — We've all seen first-aid kits for minor scrapes and bruises, but a new program wants first aid to also focus on mental health.
The Gardner Edgerton school district is one of only 35 in the country to pilot a program that teaches teens how to respond to their friends.
The district is teaming up with the Johnson County Mental Health Center for this program.
Johnson County Mental Health Center will have three instructors teaching 10th graders about mental illnesses and addictions, and how to identify and respond to those problems with their classmates.
They'll learn a five-step action plan to help their peers.
"Peers are going to talk to each other because it's their trusted friend, it's who they're closest to," Johnson County Mental Health Communications Specialist Keith Davenport said. "So when they're having a hard time, a lot of teens will go talk to their friends before they talk to a parent or a teacher because they talk to their friend the most, so it's so essential that we equip teens to be able to have those conversations and help them find the help that they need."
The pilot program is through the National Council for Behavioral Health.
In order to be chosen for the pilot program, schools needed to have at least 10 percent of its staff trained in youth mental health first aid. At Gardner, 100 percent of its staff is trained in youth mental health.
Superintendent Pam Stranathan said four years ago, it was just high school staff that was required to have the training. A year later, middle school staff were required, and then elementary school staff. Now everyone, including new staff, is or will be trained in youth mental health.
Stranathan said they do this not only to help students, but also the families.
"When you've got parents coming in and there may be some things there and some concerns, it also prepares them to be able to identify and work with the families also," Stranathan said.
Students will begin the training sessions in their health class starting in November.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins will assess the effectiveness of the pilot program and then determine when and if it should be rolled out nationwide.
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