Approximately 25 Orlando City Soccer youth coaches recently completed Youth Mental Health First Aid training through a partnership between RISE Community Solutions and Orlando Health.
The training, held during Mental Health Awareness Month, was designed to equip coaches with the skills to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents and connect them with appropriate resources.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognized, evidence-based program that teaches adults who regularly interact with youth ages 12 to 18 how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health concerns. The eight-hour certification course covers topics including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychosis, and crisis intervention.
According to the organizations, coaches often spend hundreds of hours each year with young athletes and may be among the first adults outside the home to recognize when a young person is struggling. The training equips coaches with practical tools to connect youth with appropriate support resources.
The program was offered at no cost to participants through funding RISE Community Solutions received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Orlando Health supported community outreach and promotional efforts related to the initiative and also offers Adult Mental Health First Aid training opportunities throughout the region.
The initiative aligned with Community Health Improvement Week, observed June 8–12, which highlights key health priorities affecting Central Florida communities, including mental health awareness and access to support services.
RISE Community Solutions is a Central Florida nonprofit organization that provides coordinated services to help families address challenges that can lead to disruption. Its programs focus on victim advocacy, family homelessness, and youth mental health.
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults who regularly interact with young people how to help an adolescent experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges among youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and provides guidance on responding in both crisis and noncrisis situations.
