(Posted 2026 February)
Research consistently shows that youth with foster care experience (FCE) face significantly higher rates of mental health challenges than their peers in the general population. Youth with FCE are up to 62 percent more likely to face mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, compared with just 20 percent of adolescents in the general population. This can often be linked to experiences of child maltreatment, trauma, and neglect prior to entering foster care.
Untreated mental health issues put these youth at a higher risk of poverty, unemployment, homelessness, school dropout, substance use, and incarceration.
To counteract this trend, we are offering Youth Mental Health First Aid tailored for our resource parents. Presented by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Service Board, Youth Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training course primarily designed for adults – family members, caregivers, school staff, coaches, health and human services workers, etc. – who interact with young people ages 12-25.
During this training, resource parents will learn the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of various mental health problems in youth and how to effectively help a youth in crisis. First aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
Developing mental health problems covered:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Traumatic events
- Psychosis
- Substance abuse
- Unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents
Mental health crises covered:
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Panic attacks
- Severe psychotic episodes
- Effects from substance and alcohol use
- Aggressive behavior