Course Description

The Youth Mentor Fundamentals Training is a course usable by all mentor-style roles working with youth from birth to adulthood. The skills reviewed are usable within the role of a mentor, as well as providing information that is usable by any role working directly with youth. 

This training focuses on several key areas that you may experience in a youth mentor role, such as:

  • mental disorders in youth, 
  • trauma-responsive care, 
  • crisis management, 
  • and overall professionalism as a direct service provider for children and teenagers. 


This course is not a replacement for agency-specific policies, and is only meant as a supplement to help your understanding of youth and what they may be experiencing to better prepare you for your work in building relationships with those you will be serving.

The workbook connected with this training is meant as a tool to facilitate activities during the training and as a reference for when you have completed the training. For Child and Youth Mentor Roles, this training requires a supplemental certificate from a youth mental health first aid course to complete the requirements for training.

Course Curriculum

    1. Introduction to Training

    2. Youth Mentor Workbook Download

    3. Workbook Activity 1.1

    4. Course Acknowledgement

    5. Role of a Youth Mentor

    6. Building Trust and Mentoring Youth

    7. Video Self-Reflection

    8. The Power of Mentoring: Lori Hunt at TEDxCCS

    9. Video Self-Reflection

    10. Role of a Mentor vs Other Roles & Important People You May Work With

    11. Workbook Review

    12. Workbook Activity 1.2

    13. Workbook Activity 1.3

    14. Module 1 Quiz

    1. Disclaimer for Your Role and Work With Youth & Person-First and Identity-First Language

    2. Workbook Review 2.1

    3. Autism Spectrum Disorder

    4. What It's Like Living on the Autism Spectrum

    5. Video Self-Reflection

    6. Workbook Review 2.2

    7. Intellectual Developmental Disabilites

    8. What Is An Intellectual Disability?

    9. Video Self-Reflection

    10. Workbook Review 2.3

    11. Reactive Attachment Disorder

    12. What is Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)?

    13. Video Self-Reflection

    14. Workbook Review 2.4

    15. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

    16. Let's Talk About ADHD

    17. Video Self-Reflection

    18. Workbook Review 2.5

    19. Mood Disorders

    20. Bipolar Disorder: Signs & Symptoms in Children & Teens

    21. Video Self-Reflection

    22. Ask the Experts: Depression in Kids and How to Help

    23. Video Self-Reflection

    24. Workbook Review 2.6

    25. Substance Use Disorder

    26. Lessons From the Child of an Addict

    27. Video Self-Reflection

    28. Workbook Review 2.7

    29. Learning Disabilities

    30. My Learning Disability: A Love Story | Chandni Kazi | TEDxBerkeley

    31. Video Self-Reflection

    32. What is it Like to Have a Learning Disability?

    33. Video Self-Reflection

    34. Workbook Review 2.8

    35. Dual Diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health: Part 1

    36. Dual Diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health: Part 2

    37. Dual Diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health: Part 3

    38. Workbook Activity 2.1

    39. Psychotrophic Medications

    40. Workbook Review 2.8

    41. Types of Services

    42. Workbook Review 2.9

    43. Workbook Activity 2.2

    44. Module 2 Quiz

    1. Early Childhood Development

    2. Scaffolding

    3. Video Self-Reflection

    4. Workbook Activity 3.1

    5. Adolescent Development

    6. Workbook Activity 3.2

    7. What Adolescents (or Teenagers) Need to Thrive | Charisse Nixon | TEDxPSUErie

    8. Video Self-Reflection

    9. Communication and the Teenage Brain. | Martyn Richards | TEDxNorwichED

    10. Video Self-Reflection

    11. Module 3 Quiz

    1. Family System Theory

    2. Workbook Review 4.1

    3. Family Systems and Roles

    4. Bowen Family Systems Theory

    5. Video Self-Reflection

    6. Dysfunctional Family Roles

    7. Video Self-Reflection

    8. Workbook Activity 4.1

    9. Engaging with the Family and Family Culture and Values

    10. Workbook Activity 4.2

    11. Module 4 Quiz

    1. Disclaimer for Section

    2. Trauma Responsive Care: Part 1

    3. Workbook Review 5.1

    4. Trauma Responsive Care: Part 2

    5. We Can Prevent ACEs

    6. Video Self-Reflection

    7. Workbook Review 5.2

    8. Workbook Activity 5.1

    9. Trauma Responsive Care: Part 3

    10. Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council

    11. Video Self-Reflection

    12. Window of Tolerance and Emotional Regulation (Dr. Dan Siegel)

    13. Video Self-Reflection

    14. How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris | TED

    15. Video Self-Reflection

    16. Module 5 Quiz

    1. Active Listening Skills

    2. Workbook Review 6.1

    3. Nonviolent Communication

    4. Workbook Activity 6.1

    5. Nonviolent Communication and Self Awareness | Maria Engels | TEDxAllendaleColumbiaSchool

    6. Video Self-Reflection

    7. Nonviolent Communication For Beginners

    8. Video Self-Reflection

    9. Nonviolent Communication with kids: 5-minute kickstart + demo

    10. Video Self-Reflection

    11. Compassionate Communication

    12. Workbook Activity 6.2

    13. Module 6 Quiz

About this course

  • Free
  • 152 lessons
  • 3.5 hours of video content