The Mental Health Awareness Training Project, Identifying and Responding to Youth Mental Health Needs, continues its commitment to strengthening the capacity of adults across Georgia to support the mental well being of young people. Through Youth Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade, Refer trainings, the project equips educators, caregivers, and community members with practical skills to recognize signs of distress, engage in supportive conversations, and connect youth to appropriate care.

 

At the heart of this work is the understanding that youth mental health is shaped every day in the spaces where young people live, learn, and build relationships. Schools, homes, and communities play a powerful role in shaping how youth understand themselves, navigate stress, and seek support. For many young people, the start of the year also brings renewed expectations to perform, improve, and move forward, even when they are still carrying emotional weight from the months before.

 

Young people today are growing up in a world that can feel uncertain, fast paced, and emotionally charged. Social changes, constant media exposure, and heightened public conversations can affect how safe, hopeful, and grounded youth feel, even when these topics are not discussed openly. As these external pressures intersect with academic demands, social relationships, and personal development, the need for informed, compassionate adults becomes even more important.