Amid a new and growing body of research about the mental health crisis facing youth and their families, Communities In Schools of Chicago (CIS) is encouraging the public to register for Youth Mental Health First Aid Training classes, the next of which is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Any interested and caring adult will acquire the skills and tools to recognize and respond when a young person is experiencing a mental health crisis. The need for increased mental health resources is undeniable, underscored by a 2021 Youth Risk Behavior survey, which found that 42 percent of high school youth in the state reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row, and more than 20 percent seriously committing suicide in the 12 months prior. A 2023 advisory from the Surgeon General’s Office further emphasizes that social media use is contributing to the mental health crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized practice supported by the U.S. government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The five-hour course enables learners to determine the difference between “normal” adolescent behavior and what might be common mental health challenges. It also teaches participants a five-step action plan on how to intervene. For more information, visit www.cisofchicago.org.