As EatMoveGrow’s (EMG) Program Coordinator for Youth Mental Health First Aid in Service Region B she provides schools and community organizations with National Council of Behavioral Health’s Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings. The Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health challenges, addiction issues or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

In addition to her duties as EMG’s Program Coordinator, she assists the Louisiana Rural Health Association (LRHA) with planning conferences and getting information to their members. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Lynne loves to interact with other people and enjoys taking part in this program to support adolescents in rural Louisiana.