Westerly — The Westerly Hospital, in partnership with the Washington County Coalition for Children, will offer a free, two-part certification training course on Youth Mental Health First Aid starting Sept. 10.

Classes will meet from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 at Saint Andrews Church, 15 East Beach Road, Charlestown, R.I.

The course will be led by Westerly Hospital physician Dr. Robert Harrison, and Scott Mueller, assistant professor of social work at Rhode Island College, both of whom are certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid Training.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a mental health literacy program, the hospital said in a news release. It is designed to teach adults a five-step action plan to offer initial help to young people facing mental health challenges or in crisis situations as well as connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-care they need, the hospital said.

The course is ideally designed for adults who work with young people, ages 12 to 18, including teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities, police officers, youth group leaders, parents and others. The interactive curriculum teaches participants about the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorders.

Space is limited to 25 participants. To register, contact Harrison at: rharrison@westerlyhospital.org or at: (401) 316-4134.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is coordinated by the National Council for Behavioral Health. For information, visit: www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org.