North Springs High School has trained a second group of ninth-graders in Teen Mental Health First Aid, expanding an annual program that teaches students to spot signs of mental health struggles and help their peers get support.
The Sandy Springs school announced the milestone Oct. 25 on X, calling the initiative "ongoing" and describing a plan to train each incoming ninth-grade class every year.
School Counselor Melanie Smith helped facilitate the training. School Social Worker Maia P. Smith also supported the effort.
What students learn
Teen Mental Health First Aid is a national, evidence-based curriculum for students in grades 9 through 12. According to the program's website, the multi-session training covers anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bullying, social media, substance use and ADHD. Students learn to recognize symptoms, figure out how to support a friend during a crisis and connect a peer with a trusted adult.
The training runs in six 45-minute sessions or three 90-minute sessions. It can be taught in person, online or in a blended format. More than 150,000 teens across the country have completed the program, according to the national organization Mental Health First Aid.
Nearly 100 peer-reviewed studies have found that people trained in Mental Health First Aid show reduced stigma and greater confidence helping someone in distress, the organization says.
Funded by VyStar Foundation
A VyStar Foundation grant pays for the North Springs program. The Jacksonville-based foundation announced in February 2025 that it awarded $202,621 among 11 nonprofits in its fourth youth programs grant cycle. Fulton County Schools was among the recipients, receiving funding for a program called "Breaking Barriers: Enhancing Student Well-Being Through Peer Education and Support." The specific amount directed to North Springs has not been disclosed.
What comes next
North Springs said its student Wellness Ambassadors will participate in Sources of Strength training next month. Sources of Strength is a suicide prevention and mental health promotion program that trains peer leaders and adults to build connections and resilience.
The school's broader mental health work has been visible on campus. In April, North Springs THRIVE ambassadors handed out orange ribbons, snap bracelets, rubber bands and fidget toys to raise awareness about self-harm, according to a school social media post.
North Springs has not said how many students completed training in either cohort or when the first group finished.
