Promoting positive mental health has been in the spotlight recently, with people and organizations emphasizing the importance of emotional wellness. That's especially true when it comes to youths, and Cornerstone Youth Center is here to help.

The center will host Youth Mental Health First Aid on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 95 S. Wilson Ave., Elizabethtown.

"Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people," said Jonathan Weatherholtz, Cornerstone's coordinator of student and family ministries. "This training is designed to teach family members, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent - ages 12 to 18 - who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or crisis."

Conducted by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, the training will focus on a wide range of subjects, including identifying common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; recognizing common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges; and learning how to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis and connect him or her with help. The course will also provide an introduction to expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.

As Weatherholtz explained, Cornerstone staff members first learned about the training from Teen Haven in Lancaster. "They were hosting the training and welcomed our staff to join them," he said. "Though we've had similar trainings at Cornerstone, this will be the first time we host this specific training."

The training fits in well with the overall mission of Cornerstone Youth Center, which serves youths in grades six through 12.

"Cornerstone Youth Center is dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment where students and their families can build healthy relationships, be introduced to the Gospel, and experience wholeness in life through Christ," Weatherholtz commented.

The training is free, and Weatherholtz plans to offer more trainings like this in the future.

"I would encourage anyone who's thinking about joining us for this training to do so," he said. "When I attended for the first time, I gained a wealth of knowledge I didn't have before, which has helped me care for those in my life who have mental health challenges. ... Training like this is important because we as a nation are in the midst of a mental health crisis, which calls for action. This kind of training will equip you to be a part of the solution."

Registration for the training is required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/41QusDk or contact Brook Hummel at hummelb@csgonline.org.