# More NC Teachers to Receive Mental Health Training
More North Carolina teachers and principals will be trained in recognizing and responding to signs of mental distress in young people.
The University of North Carolina System on Wednesday announced it will train up to 420 future teachers and principals in “youth mental health first aid.”
“mental Health First Aid” is a program from the National Council for Mental Wellness that teaches people to recognise symptoms of mental health disorders and substance use challenges and then effectively communicate with anyone they’re concerned about to get them help.
Suzie baker, the UNC system’s assistant vice president for student affairs, saeid the program encourages school leaders to think of first aid, but without the bandages.
“Say somebody comes to you and tells you that they’ve got a terrible toothache. Are you going to get in there with your drill and your, you know, filling material and fix it yourself? No, you’re not,” she said. “You’re going to say, ‘My gosh, well, how long has that been going on for? and you know, have you been able to manage the discomfort? Is it causing you problems with eating and talking like, how? How badly is this affecting your life? Oh, my gosh. Do you have a dentist? Can I help you find a dentist? Oh, you’re afraid to call them.Let me make an appointment for you. Let me, you know, help you figure out what that looks like. Do you need a ride to the dentist? I can help you with that too.'”
The UNC System is concerned about rising rates of anxiety and depression in young people and about their declining social connections, baker said.
If they don’t have close friends to confide in or who