Description

Amid increasing rates of distress among young people, youth leaders are reshaping mental health support through innovative peer support programs. These initiatives, grounded in the understanding that young people often prefer guidance from their peers, are proving highly effective in fostering resilience and enhancing well-being. This training highlights the importance of peer-to-peer support, explores the potential of the SUPPORT Act to expand these services, and empowers youth to advocate for meaningful policy change. By prioritizing peer-led initiatives, communities can create supportive environments that address the mental health needs of youth and amplify their voices.

Target Audience

This training video will be helpful to:

Youth mental health advocates
Peer support leaders and coordinators
Educators and school administrators
Policymakers and community stakeholders
Mental health professionals and counselors

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, you will be to:

Understand the Role of Peer Support Programs in Youth Mental Health: Participants will be able to explain how peer support programs are reshaping mental health support for young people, addressing their preferences for receiving help from peers.
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Peer Support in Enhancing Youth Mental Well-being: Participants will learn to assess research findings that demonstrate the impact of peer support programs on fostering resilience and improving the mental well-being of young people.
Identify Key Components of Effective Peer Support Programs: Participants will be able to identify and describe the essential elements that make peer support programs successful in addressing the mental health needs of youth.
Promote the Integration of Peer Support Programs in Community Mental Health Initiatives: Participants will gain strategies for advocating the prioritization of peer support programs within their communities, fostering environments where young people feel empowered and supported in their mental health journeys.
Understanding the SUPPORT Act: Learn about the key provisions of the SUPPORT Act and how it aims to expand access to youth peer support, including the creation of a new peer support technical assistance center.
Advocacy Strategies for Peer Support: Develop skills in effectively communicating the importance of youth peer support and how to engage legislators to advance related policies.
Youth Peer Support in Schools: Explore the role of peer-to-peer support in high schools and its impact on reducing mental health stigma and providing accessible resources to students.
Data Collection and Medicaid for Youth Peer Support: Understand the importance of collecting data on youth peer services and how Medicaid can help expand access to these services for marginalized youth.

Key Topics

The role of peer support in addressing youth mental health challenges
Understanding the SUPPORT Act and its implications for youth mental health programs
Strategies for advocating peer-to-peer support to legislators and policymakers
Building resilience and reducing stigma through peer-led mental health initiatives
Expanding access to youth mental health support through school-based programs and Medicaid funding