teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is a national program designed to support teens dealing with mental health and substance use issues. It teaches teens how to recognize warning signs in their friends or peers, ask questions and gain good listening skills, and get the help of an adult quickly.  

MIH recently assembled our first cohort of 16 tMHFA trainers. This cohort has completed the three-day, rigorous training provided by our national partner National Council for Behavioral Health. The trainers plan to bring the program to schools and youth service organizations. MIH believes empowering teens to help their peers will save lives, families, and communities.

For more information about tMHFA, contact Deb Baird, resiliency essentials coordinator, at dab@mih4u.org.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a national, evidence-based suicide prevention program founded over 20 years ago. Like CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), QPR is designed to increase survival in the face of a crisis. It trains you to recognize warning signs, and question, persuade, and refer someone to get the help they need. 

In December 2020, Makin’ It Happen facilitated our first QPR Suicide Prevention training, offered to all adults in the Greater Manchester region. Those who attended, including local firefighters, librarians, and members of the community, became gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are trained to recognize warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide, offer hope, and get help to save a life.

For more information about QPR Suicide Prevention Training, contact Deb Baird, resiliency essentials coordinator, at dab@mih4u.org.