Nearly 100 student support staff at Springfield International Charter School (SICS) participated in Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training facilitated by Western New England University (WNE) on September 9. The program is part of a multi-year WNE initiative to equip Springfield schools with the skills and resources to recognize and respond to mental health challenges among children and adolescents.
Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the initiative builds on WNE’s record of training more than 500 faculty, staff, and students in MHFA to date. This nationally recognized, evidence-based program empowers adults to identify signs of anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, eating disorders, substance use, and suicidality—and to connect students and families with critical resources.
The training at SICS was led by WNE instructors Amanda Charter, director of student outreach & support, Student Life; Marissa Ostroff, clinical associate professor of ambulatory care, and Arin Whitman, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice, both from Pharmacy and Health Sciences, who guided participants through practical strategies and real-world scenarios.
“Taking the time and making the commitment to focus on mental health showcases just how important this work is,” said Karen Carreira, WNE’s onsite lead for the program. “We want schools to see that these trainings are accessible, rooted in common sense, and designed to give staff practical tools. This isn’t a clinical program—it’s about being that trusted adult, a bridge to help. With suicide now the second leading cause of death for young people, right behind accidents, this is a whole-school effort. We hope SICS is the first of many schools to join us.”
Statistics underscore the urgency: 1 in 5 teens faces a mental health challenge; 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14; and 75% by the mid-20s. Nationally, more than 50,000 people died by suicide in 2023. Research shows that when students have a strong school connection and at least one trusted adult, the risk of severe mental health challenges and suicide decreases dramatically.
WNE’s collaboration with SICS marks the first full-school implementation of MHFA training in Springfield, with additional schools expected to participate through 2026.
