Make a difference to children and young people’s lives, by gaining practical tools and knowledge to support mental health conditions and help reduce stigma. Becoming an accredited Youth Mental Health First Aider will not only support the children in your setting, but will help you develop personally and professionally.
In today’s climate, it’s essential for children to be around supportive adults where they feel seen, supported and listened to. This training will equip you with the skills to meet this need. By creating an environment where children’s mental health and wellbeing are championed and early intervention is taken seriously, it can make all the difference.
Why train to become a Youth MHFAider®?
50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24.
The Mental Health Foundation state 20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year.
Research from NHS Digital shared 20.3% of eight to 16-yearolds had a probable mental disorder in 2023.
After a rise in rates of probable mental disorders between 2017 and 2020, prevalence continued at similar levels in all age groups between 2022 and 2023.
The rise in social media use, stigma surrounding mental health, family dynamics, discrimation, and pressures to succeed academically, are just a few examples of how children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing continue to be impacted.
By becoming a Youth MHFAider® you will be an active part of the solution with early intervention support, to make a notable difference. MHFA® will not train you to become a therapist, but you’ll gain skills to listen, reassure and respond, even in a mental health crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.
By the end of the MHFA course, participants will have:
An in-depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that impact wellbeing.
Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
Confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress.
Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening.
Knowledge to help a young person recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s through self-help sites, their place of learning, the NHS, or a mix – engaging with parents, carers and external agencies where appropriate.
Ability to support a young person with a long term mental health issue or disability to thrive.
Tools to look after your own mental wellbeing.
KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention.
To create a mental health action plan using MHFA® evidence-based framework.
To practise active listening and empathy.
To encourage a young person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports.
To have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma.
To discuss the MHFAider® role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality.
To practise self-care to support your own wellbeing.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This training is open to all individuals supporting or working with children and young people. This includes parents/ carers, NHS staff, headteachers, deputy heads, pastoral staff, teachers, TAs, youth workers, and youth charity workers/ trustees.
FACILITATOR
Nicola is a Senior Education & Mental Health Consultant, Mental Health First Aid England Instructor, former SEND Teacher, and trained therapist with over 15 years’ experience. Nicola strives to deliver trauma-informed approaches to support the wellbeing of school staff, parents and students.
Nicola is also a DEI Strategist and is proud to be a Trustee of mental health charity, Black Minds Matter; an Anti-Racism in Schools Advocate; and an Accredited Clinical Reflective Practice Supervisor for Educators, approved by the British Psychological Society.
With a compassion-focused approach, Nicola strives to embed person-centred wellbeing into her practice. She is also a published author of two mindfulness books to support children’s emotional health and wellbeing
