Travis County Funds Mental Health Training for Youth

Austin, Texas -

$220,000 from Travis County funds Mental Health First Aid training for 2,000 people by December 2025. The program, led by Integral Care, equips community members to identify and respond to mental health crises, focusing on youth aged 12-18.

• Website: Youth Mental Health First Aid program
• Register here: https://integralcare.org/en/mhfa

What's the Problem?

"We are in a youth mental health crisis... 42% of high schoolers had symptoms of depression and 10% had attempted suicide." - Leylee Morris, program manager at Integral Care. CDC report

What's the Solution?

The 6-8 hour training teaches participants to identify signs of mental health problems and initiate conversations. "We teach a five-step action plan. It's very concrete, and we practice. People feel like they leave with a set of skills," said Morris.

• Who can take it? Parents, teachers, youth/Scout leaders, coaches, and anyone supporting adolescents.
• How? Register for community training or request Integral Care to provide training.
• Cost? Free, funded by Travis County (~$100/participant).
• Format? In-person, virtual, or hybrid.
• Certification? Valid for 3 years, like CPR.

Source: Integral Care, mental health authority of Travis County.