Youth MHFA:
Two Day Course

Course Overview

Completion of the Youth Mental Health First Aid Two Day course will qualify you as a Youth Mental Health First Aider.

Once qualified as a Youth Mental Health First Aider, you will be able to:

• Display an in-depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that can affect personal wellbeing
• Utilise practical skills to spot the triggers and warning signs of mental ill health
• Confidently approach, reassure, and support a young person in distress
• Utilise enhanced interpersonal skills, such as non-judgemental listening
• Assist a young person in their recovery by guiding them to support, eg. the NHS, self-help information
• Assist a young person with a long-term mental health issue or disability
• Utilise skills to take care of your own mental health and wellbeing

Cost

We cost the courses to suit your budget and also offer funded places! Just email: [email protected] with your requirements. 

What to Expect from the Course

A mix of workshop activities, presentations, and group discussions built around the Youth MHFA action plan will be used to guide learning on this course. Up to 16 people can participate in the four hour session at any one time, helping to ensure that the instructor keeps participants safe and supported throughout. Young people are welcome to participate, but must have the permission of a parent or guardian if they are under 16 years-old.

Participants will complete four learning sessions over the two day duration of the course.

Every participant who completes the course will receive:

• A certificate to show you are a qualified Mental Health First Aider
• A Mental Health First Aid resources manual to be kept for reference

Course Structure

A number of topics will be explored over the course of each of the four sessions with guidance from the instructor.

Session 1

The session will begin with a general discussion about Youth Mental Health First Aid and will provide further context by exploring England’s child health care policy. The group will look at facts and figures about mental health and learn about the Youth Mental Health First Aid action plan.

Both risk factors for mental ill health and protective factors for mental health will be highlighted by the instructor. The group will also discuss the prevention of mental health issues and the promotion of wellbeing.

Session 2

This session will focus on the topics of depression and anxiety disorders. The Mental Health First Aid action plan for depression and anxiety will be highlighted to the group.

Key facts and figures about depression will be explored, alongside the signs and symptoms of depression. Risk factors for depression will also be discussed.

Key facts and figures about anxiety disorders will then be explored, alongside the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders. Risk factors anxiety disorders will also be discussed.

Session 3

This session will focus on the topics of suicide and psychosis. The Mental Health First Aid action plan for psychosis will be highlighted to the group.

The group will participate in a discussion about suicide, examining the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. The instructor will then teach first aid skills that can be used to help during a suicidal crisis.

The group will then move on to discuss psychosis, examining the risk factors and warning signs of psychosis. Different types of psychotic disorders will also be explored. The instructor will then teach crisis first aid skills that can be used to help a young person experiencing acute psychosis.

Session 4

This session will focus on the topics of eating disorders and self-harm. The Mental Health First Aid action plans for eating disorders and self-harm will be highlighted to the group.

Key facts and figures about eating disorders will be explored, alongside the signs and symptoms of different eating disorders. Risk factors for eating disorders will also be discussed.

Key facts and figures about self-harm will then be explored, alongside the signs and symptoms of self-harm. Risk factors for self-harm will also be discussed.

The session will conclude with a discussion about the recovery process for both eating disorders and self-harm.