SalusCare offers Youth Mental Health First Aid

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Do you know the danger signs of mental illness or substance abuse?

If your child suddenly experienced depression, would you know what to do?

Now you can receive some help, through a program called “Youth Mental Health First Aid.” It’s a national program, that’s run locally by SalusCare.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a five-step action plan for adults to use to help children going through a mental health crisis or challenge.

“Mental health first aid provides five exact steps with the name ALGEE as the acronym. To assess for risk of suicide or harm, listen non-judgmentally, give reassurance and information, encourage appropriate professional help and self-help and other support strategies,” said Laura Youngfleisch of SalusCare.

The program addresses mood disorders, eating disorders, different types of substance abuse, as well as depression and anxiety.

If you aren’t sure you need the program, as a parent, Youngfleisch gives you a question you can ask yourself, “One thing is, how’s my child doing handling situations. Is a normally non-stressful situation for an every day person causing exasperation and a meltdown?”

SalusCare holds clinics throughout the year, but you can ask for help anytime.

You can visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org for more information.