ABSTRACT
This chapter presents opportunities for practitioners to prepare themselves to address mental health challenges among participants in outdoor program settings, and important mental health prevention and response strategies to use in practice. Risk management in outdoor settings has evolved to include a focus on social, emotional, and psychological risks. The outdoor program staff in this case vignette were given effective training in psychological first aid and were therefore able to respond calmly and compassionately to a participant in crisis, while at the same time, maintain care for the group. The outdoor staff utilized wilderness activities, group process, and skill-based instruction to help students work on leadership skills, such as communication, conflict resolution, coping skills, and self-esteem. Students often came on the course who were struggling to find a sense of direction and were interested in an experience outside of school.
