Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people 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.

Contact Tracy if you would like to host a class or to learn when the next public class is being held.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

UW-Madison Division of Extension Douglas County is now offering QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention for any adults that would like to learn how to save the life of a youth or adult experiencing a suicide crisis in our community.  Gatekeepers can include anyone who is positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g., parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, caseworkers, barbers, bartenders, co-workers, etc.).

Sessions will be offered to both adult and youth serving audiences and can be provided either virtually or in person. Extension is seeking organizations to sign up their group for a 90 minute in-person or virtual class.  Learn more about upcoming workshops on our website, douglas.extension.wisc.edu, or contact Tracy Henegar to set up a class for your organization: Phone: 715-395-1426

Extension is currently able to provide this training to our community free of charge thanks to generous funding provided by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation as part of the Miller Dwan Foundation’s Live Well! Northern WI initiative.  

QPR is a suicide prevention training that teaches three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide: Question, Persuade, and Refer. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond in order to save a life. Tracy Henegar, Extension Educator, said, “We’ve seen the impact of suicide in our community, and we know that when someone dies by suicide, family, friends, co-workers and the community as a whole can experience a wide range of difficulties in coping with that loss, including symptoms of depression and anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. In less than two hours, you can be empowered with the information you need to help save a life!”   

WeCOPE

The next virtual class is on June 25-July 30, 2025 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Register at go.wisc.edu/15KCUE

WeCOPE is an interactive program that helps adults cope with life stress.  WeCOPE has been shown to reduce stress and depression, increase positive affect, and improve health behaviors. Managing life’s challenges in healthy ways allows participants to take better care of themselves and others.
This 6-week program meets via Zoom, once a week for 1 hour. These sessions encourage practicing skills such as mindfulness, savoring, positive reappraisal, gratitude, and goal setting among others.  Participants gain the most benefit when they are able to commit some time outside of class each week practicing the skills we review in class.