World Mental Health Day Highlights Dire Need for Stigma-Free Work & School Environments

By: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work, Behavioral Health Springboard via Business Wire

October 08, 2024 at 14:41 PM EDT

International mental health curriculum demonstrates positive impact on teens, meeting them where they are, but funding expiration threatens future of program

The theme of World Mental Health Day, which is recognized October 10, is: “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” In recognition of the teen mental health crisis, it’s past time to prioritize the need for mental health initiatives in schools, the ‘workplaces’ of teens. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), implemented in North Carolina by the Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS) at UNC-Chapel Hill, is an evidence-based initiative which reduces the stigma surrounding mental health conversations and empowers teens to support their peers. While the initiative continues to gain interest and has led to encouraging results, awareness and action are needed now for schools to continue providing this life changing programming.

The initiative consists of two primary curricula, Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) and teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA). Teen participants learn to:

Identify common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges
Initiate conversations about mental health with peers and trusted adults
Seek help from trusted adults and understand how to access resources

By training both teens and adults, MHFA creates a network of support within schools and communities. This proactive approach empowers individuals to intervene early and prevent crises.

Nina Muller, School Behavioral Health Program Specialist at Behavioral Health Springboard said, "We're at a bit of a pivotal moment right now, as a state and as a nation, where we have the opportunity to decide how we're going to rise to the challenge of supporting our young people.”

The curricula are founded on two essential facts. Teens spend their time primarily in schools, surrounded by teachers and staff, who are among the most likely to be able to notice change and provide resources. Similarly, the initiative recognizes that teens talk to other teens before going to adults.

Speaking about the benefits off the program, Muller added, "It teaches them that being a good friend means seeking support for your friends when it's something that's too large for you as a 14-year-old or 15-year-old."

While MHFA has demonstrated significant benefits, its future is uncertain due to funding limitations. The Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund, which currently supports the initiative, is set to expire June 2025.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work, Behavioral Health Springboard manages and facilities the Mental Health First Aid program at no-cost to participants and is able to do so through a grant received in the Spring of 2023. The grant and supplemental funding allows UNC-CH, SSW, BHS to administer the program through June 2025, at which time current funding will expire.

About Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS): BHS is an initiative at UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Social Work that links current research to training programs across North Carolina. These programs provide professional opportunities in the form of workforce development trainings and initiatives for clinicians and providers whose focus is around prevention and treatment for mental and behavioral health challenges. In addition to regular trainings, the BHS Children’s Behavioral Health annual conference in Wilmington is still accepting registrations and has a track designed specifically for YMHFA.

Notes and links for editor:

World Mental Health Day: World Mental Health Day

Link to BHS CBH conference information: https://bhs.unc.edu/cbh-annual-conference-macro-micro-navigating-ncs-systems-care-0

Suicide as a leading cause of death in teens: Adolescent Suicide—Understanding Unique Risks and Opportunities for Trauma Centers to Recognize, Intervene, and Prevent a Leading Cause of Death

Behavioral Health Springboard: Behavioral Health Springboard

More about Mental Health First Aid: www.ncymhfa.org