Mental Health Training for Schools
Schools are uniquely positioned to identify mental health concerns early. By equipping staff with the tools to recognize warning signs and connect students to care, school leaders can make a lasting impact. But it’s not just students who need support—teachers and staff benefit from mental health resources, too. Building a resilient school community starts with you.
Mental Health Awareness Funding Available for K-12 Schools Through September 2026
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), through Project AWARE, is partnering with Mental Health First Aid Missouri—operated by the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH)—to offer two evidence-based professional development trainings at no cost to K-12 public schools across Missouri.
Two Evidence-Based Training Options
*also available in Spanish
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
A nationally recognized suicide prevention program that equips participants to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and take steps to help.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
A skills-based training for adults working with youth. Learn to recognize and respond to adolescent mental health and substance use challenges in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
Take the first step toward creating a supportive, informed, and resilient school environment.
Who Should Attend?
- Teachers & administrators
- Support staff (nurses, counselors, aides, etc.)
- Bus drivers
- After-school program staff
- Parents & caregivers
- Any trusted adult in your school community
Please help us spread the word by sharing with school personnel and youth-serving organizations, groups, and related communities. We invite you to distribute this guide and its resources to your professional communities via listservs, newsletters, social media, etc.
