Youth Mental Health for the Arts is primarily designed for artists and teachers who regularly interact with youth. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth ages 1-18, reviews typical development, and teaches a concrete action plan for how to help students in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

 

Youth Mental Health for the Arts is a way to build community level capacity to identify mental health and substance use issues early and for artists, educators and organizations to increase their confidence to intervene and refer people to the resources that exist. The arts community has a long history of being innovative and taking responsibility. Youth Mental Health for the Arts is a way to increase the level of baseline knowledge about mental health and substance use issues and to decrease the negative perceptions often associated with these issues.

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TOPICS COVERED

 

• Depression and mood disorders

• Anxiety disorders

• Trauma

• Psychosis

• Substance Use disorders

 

Youth Mental Health for the Arts educates our learners on recovery and resiliency - the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.

 

INTERVENTIONS LEARNED

 

You will learn how to apply the Youth Mental Health for the Arts action plan in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing:

 

• Panic attacks

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

• Non-suicidal self-injury

• Acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions)

• Overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use

• Reaction to a traumatic event

 

The opportunity to practice (experiential learning) - through role plays, scenarios, and activities – will make it easier to apply these skills in a real-life situation.

 

Have more questions? CONTACT US!

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*PLEASE NOTE: This training does NOT certify or license you as a mental health professional, psychologist, counselor, social worker or drama, art, music, art or expressive arts therapist. You will need to earn a masters degree from an accredited school of higher education, fulfill all practicum and internship requirements, and pass a national or state licensing exam (depending on your chosen profession and state licensing laws).