[Archived] Adults Have Tools to Identify Psychological Distress in Youth

For Immediate Release: August 13, 2015

Adults in Alexandria who work with middle or high school youth can now be trained in mental health ‘gatekeeper skills’ through online at-risk training simulations until the end of September.

This short interactive online training is designed for mentors, juvenile justice professionals, school staff, youth development staff, recreation professionals and human-service staff. The training is not recommended for licensed clinicians.

Highlights of the online training include:

• Designed to prepare adults to recognize when youth are exhibiting signs of psychological distress and connecting them with appropriate support
• Includes practice role-play conversations to build conversational skills with students
• Additional training to help adults best support LGBTQ youth
• Convenient

Nearly one in five teens suffers from a mental disorder, such as depression or anxiety, and suicide remains the third leading cause of death in this age group.

The training is available for a limited time, ending September 30. Access to all three training modules is available once an account and login has been created. Access the online training at nova.kognito.com.

For Alexandria residents who find this online training valuable, an eight-hour certification class is available. For more information about the training, visit www.alexandriava.gov/DCHS.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, as amended.  To request a reasonable accommodation, email maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244.