In recent years, the need for mental wellness support has grown significantly. Whether it's families navigating complex emotions, schools managing student behaviors, or professionals seeking continuing education, mental health plays a critical role in every part of our community. That's where the Behavioral Health Training Collaborative in Orange County steps in—offering free, accessible, and practical training to empower individuals and groups to better understand and respond to mental health challenges.

What Is the Behavioral Health Training Collaborative?

The Behavioral Health Training Collaborative (BHTC) is a joint effort led by Western Youth Services along with trusted community partners like NAMI Orange County, Child Guidance Center, OMID, Seneca Family of Agencies, and The RESET Toolbox. Their shared mission is to provide high-quality behavioral health training in Orange County—free of charge—to families, schools, professionals, and community groups.

These trainings aren’t just academic—they’re real, relatable, and packed with tools that participants can apply in everyday life. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, caregiver, nurse, or social worker, the collaborative has a course tailored to your needs.

Who Can Benefit from Behavioral Health Training?

1. Families & Individuals:
Living with or supporting someone who struggles with mental health can be overwhelming. BHTC offers training that helps families:

• Recognize early signs of mental distress

• Learn healthy coping strategies

• Discover when and where to seek help

2. Schools & Educators:
Teachers are on the frontlines of youth development. Trainings for schools focus on:

• Social-emotional learning integration

• Identifying students in crisis

• Creating inclusive, emotionally safe classrooms

3. Community Groups:
Faith leaders, veteran advocates, shelter workers, and other community groups gain valuable tools to:

• Understand trauma and its impact

• Offer culturally sensitive support

• Build trust with vulnerable populations

4. Professionals & Mental Health Workers:
The Collaborative offers evidence-based training and certifications for:

• Mental health professionals

• First responders

• Medical staff

• Social workers
  All eligible participants can earn continuing education credits from the comfort of their home.

Available Training Topics

Whether you want to support someone with depression, or need a refresher on trauma-informed care, there’s a program for you. Here are just a few of the trainings offered:

• Positive Parenting Techniques

• Mental Health First Aid (Youth & Adult)

• Coping with Grief and Loss

• LGBTQ+ Safe Space Training

• ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Awareness

• Anger and Stress Management

• Trauma-Informed Practices for Schools and Families

• Self-Care for Caregivers and Professionals

These workshops are practical, engaging, and interactive—many include breakout discussions, real-life scenarios, and resource kits for continued learning.

Why Behavioral Health Training in Orange County Matters

Mental health challenges don’t discriminate—they affect people across all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By investing in behavioral health training in Orange County, the Collaborative is helping to build a more resilient, informed, and compassionate community.

Feedback from past participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Many describe the trainings as “life-changing,” “eye-opening,” and “a safe space to learn and ask hard questions.”

“I feel relief because there are people willing to listen to me without judgment.”

“It made me feel energized about the topic of mental health, reducing stigma, and self-care.”

Get Involved – Register for a Free Training Today

Whether you’re a parent looking for guidance, a teacher seeking new skills, or a professional working in healthcare or social services, you’re invited to participate in these transformative programs. Trainings are available virtually and in-person, depending on your needs.

👉 Visit Western Youth Services’ website to view the full training calendar and sign up.

You can also request custom trainings for your group or organization.

Final Thoughts

Mental wellness is a shared responsibility—and knowledge is power. Thanks to the Behavioral Health Training Collaborative, Orange County residents and professionals now have the tools to support one another and foster a healthier community.

If you’re ready to make a difference, both for yourself and others, take the first step. Sign up for behavioral health training in Orange County today—and become part of a movement that’s changing lives.