A brand new mental health training program is being offered in New York, USA, and could be rolled out in other countries if successful.

Diagnosing mental health problems such as depression in youth has been in the news in the USA lately, with some physicians not offering adequate diagnosis for the condition, leading to problems too late to be treated. A recent study in Academic Pediatrics, for example, showed the need this since it could help potentially save lives.

A new program in Ossining, New York, United States, being held at their library, will take things further by training care givers such as parents and teachers to spot the signs of mental illness in young people and show them how to cope and offer support when needed. It is offered free of charge and could save lives in the community.

Should programs like these be successful, there is no doubt similar initiatives will be offered in the UK. It is estimated that around £1.7bn is spent each year on treating young people with serious social and behavioural issues, some of whom may suffer from mental health issues such as depression. Anything that can be done to help will, no doubt, be encouraged.