Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Youth mental health challenges are common and complex.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) equips adults who work with or support young people to recognize warning signs, respond with confidence, and connect youth to appropriate help. 

Why This Training Matters 

Mental health challenges among children and adolescents in the United States are widespread and often begin early in life. 

  • Half of all lifetime mental health conditions start by age 14 (Kessler et al., 2005)

These alarming trends highlight the urgent need for early, accessible, and culturally responsive mental health support, such as the work of Youth Mental Health First Aid–trained professionals. 

About MHFA Training  

The Youth MHFA curriculum is established by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. This full-day training is designed for anyone who supports youth ages 12–18, including educators, school staff, community organizations, and youth-serving professionals. 

Topics include:  

  • Anxiety 

  • Depression 

  • Eating disorders 

  • Bullying 

  • Social media 

  • Substance use 

  • ADHD 

By the end of the training, you will be able to: 

  • Recognize signs and symptoms in young people 

  • Use the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) 

  • Respond to a young person in crisis 

  • Connect with a young person with professional help 

  • Address stigma and explain that recovery is possible 

  • Encourage young people to practice self-care 

Our Impact

As of February 2026, CIRH has conducted three cohorts of Youth Mental Health First Aid training, reaching professionals across CIRH staff, community-based organizations (CBOs), and local education agencies (LEAs).

These trainings reflect our ongoing commitment to building a skilled workforce dedicated to supporting youth mental health. 

Our Trainers

Rafiullah Sadiq, MD, MICHA (He/him/his) 

Refugee School Impact & Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator 

With over 13 years of dedicated experience in public health and health promotion, Rafiullah has played integral roles in training coordination, community health, capacity building, and project management. Armed with a medical degree and a Master's in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, he has made significant contributions to national Social Behavior Change and Communication (SBCC) initiatives, employing crisis intervention, goal development, and patient advocacy skills to enhance health outcomes for Afghan refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Passionate about public health program management, training, and advocacy, Rafiullah is committed to advocating for equitable access to healthcare services and fostering community resilience among those in need and displaced populations. Rafiullah speaks Pashto, Dari, Farsi, and Urdu. 

Iryna Osadcha, BA (She/her/hers) 

Refugee Health and Community Outreach Specialist 

Iryna is a dedicated advocate for equitable access to quality health education within the California system. Having personally experienced the challenges of displacement from Ukraine and arrived in the U.S. as a refugee, Iryna brings a distinctive perspective to her work with Ukrainian families, children, and youth. Her journey enhances her ability to bridge cultural gaps and facilitates a smoother transition for Ukrainian immigrants in California. Iryna's commitment to understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds not only shapes her advocacy but also fosters a profound sense of inclusion and understanding within the community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies and Sociology from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and a Certificate Program in Public Health from Cornell University. Iryna is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian.