Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

One in ten young people experience a mental health issue at any one time and suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 5-19, but often youth mental health is not prioritised.

In an average group of 30 15 year olds:

• Seven are likely to have been bullied
• Six may be self-harming
• One could have experienced the death of a parent

Record levels of young people are struggling. Academic pressure, social media, bullying, poverty, lack of availability of professional mental health support – all have been named by various sources as contributing to this epidemic of poor mental health in our young people.

It’s clear that young people are not getting the support they need. Key figures in a young person’s life – parents, family members, teachers, tutors, carers, youth workers – can often spot when a young person is struggling but may not know how best to help.

Are YMFHA Courses right for me?

Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses are for everyone who works with, lives with or supports young people aged 8-18. They will teach you the skills and confidence to spot the signs of mental health issues in a young person, offer first aid and guide them towards the support they need. In doing so, you can speed up a young person’s recovery and stop a mental health issue from getting worse.

• Youth mental health first aid covers England’s child health care policy, statistics on youth mental health as well as some common misconceptions around children’s mental health. Also covered are risk and protective factors and the ALGEE action plan and recovery.
• Depression and anxiety.  What are the most common signs and symptoms. Risk factors. First aid for depression.
• Suicide and psychosis.  What are warning signs and risk factors for suicide? How can you deliver first aid for a suicidal crisis.  You will learn the action plan for mental health emergencies like suicide and psychotic episodes.
• Self-harm and eating disorders.  You will learn about self-harm risk factors. What are the symptoms of self harm?. Why do children self-harm? What are the different types of eating disorders?. How to to approach to the young person experiencing mental health difficulties and implement an action plan.

Let's create a future where mental health is treated as a normal part of life, in the same way as physical health. A future where every young person has access to support if they need it.