Foster Care Training

Youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice system are at increased risk of mental health issues and self harming behaviors. This is especially true during the holidays for youth with feelings of being alone, that they do not belong, and hopelessness about their future. The course reviews issues impacting depression in youth including the impact of trauma, the experience of multiple losses, poor coping skills, and the holidays. Mental health issues impacting depression and self harm are discussed including depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality. Approaches to working with youth who have mental health issues and self harming behaviors are reviewed including counseling guidelines and psychotropic medications. Supporting youth in coping with the holidays is discussed. Participants are also provided with guidelines for intervening in self harming behaviors including cutting, warning signs, talking with suicidal youth, crisis risk assessment, and patient safety plans. Approaches for reducing self harm are reviewed including increasing core competencies, developing self regulation skills, coping with grief and loss, making lives matter, and positive holiday messages for youth.