Libby Aims to End Future Tragedies with Teen Mental Health First Aid Training

Fall 2022 was a tough season for Libby, Montana: There were four attempted youth suicides, two of which were successful. Devastated community members began working together to come up with a solution that might help prevent such tragedies in the future. Working with Lincoln County Unite for Youth, they landed on the need for an evidence-based training that teaches high school students the skills they need to help their friends with mental health and substance use challenges, including how to get the help of an adult quickly. The program, called Teen Mental Health First Aid, is designed to be delivered in a high school or other community site by a trained adult who is certified instructor. LOR’s funding supported the launch of the program, which will continue in Libby over subsequent years because the adult participants will become trainers for future sessions.