Empowering young creatives to better mental health.

Our vision is to equip every 6-12 grade music, art, and theater teacher in Ohio with Youth Mental Health First Aid certification, creating a statewide network of educators who are empowered to support the mental well-being of young creatives. 

The training equips adults to assist youth (ages 12–18) experiencing mental health or substance use challenges, as well as those in crisis. Participants learn about common mental health issues affecting youth, gain an understanding of typical adolescent development, and master a 5-step action plan for supporting youth in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics include:

• Signs and symptoms of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD.

• Signs and symptoms of substance use/misuse challenges.

• How to interact during a crisis.

• How to connect youth with help.

• Expanded content on trauma, self-care, social media, and bullying.

All CreateWell instructors are certified to teach YMHFA by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, an internationally recognized non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of mental health and substance use care since 1969.

Our Youth Mental Health Resource Guide is a free download. It includes both local (Central Ohio) and national (U.S.) support organizations.

It’s easy to see why talking about our mental health may not be easy. Research shows public stigma (society’s negative attitudes and behaviors surrounding mental health) and self-stigma (the internalization of those attitudes) prevent many from reaching out and getting the support they need. 

But the truth is, mental health challenges are so common that you probably know someone who is experiencing or has experienced a mental health challenge. Nearly half of all U.S. adults will experience a mental illness at some point in their life. Each year, that’s about one in five U.S. adults and one in six youth.

We are committed to dismantling the stigma that keeps people from speaking up and getting help. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training helps dispel common myths and misconceptions about mental health. By filling knowledge gaps and increasing our understanding of mental illness, we can bring greater awareness to the reality of the challenges people may be facing.

As a First Aider, you can be the first line of support for someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. You can #BeTheDifference by helping that person get the information and support they need. Research has shown that talking about our challenges can encourage others to do the same. Having these difficult conversations helps reduce mental health stigma so more people reach out for the support they need.