Youth Mental Health First Aid

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MHFA England certificate training to become a Youth Mental Health First Aider. This is an in-depth look at young peoples mental health and the risk and protective factors that can affect wellbeing. Mental health first aiders are trained to recognise and respond to early warning signs of a developing mental health issue. You will learn about the common conditions including anxiety, depression and self-harm and gain skills to talk to young people about their mental health and guide to appropriate support. Learning takes place through group discussions, case studies, videos and small group workshops. The course core principles are built around effective, early intervention and accessing the right support.  

 

 

Youth mental health first aiders have;

 

• An in-depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect 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 

 

Who should take these courses: Youth courses are for anyone who works with, lives with or supports young people aged 8-18. This course has been developed for adults to support young people. 

 

Course Format: Learning takes place through a medley of presentations, workshop activities and group discussions. 

 

Length of course:

In-person training: Two days, split into four manageable sessions. 

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OR

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Online virtual classroom training: Split over four live virtual classroom sessions (2.5 hours each) and approx 6 hours self lead learning. Online courses are delivered over either two or four days.

 

Everyone who completes the course gets;

• Detailed MHFA England manual to keep

• Workbook

• MHFA England Lanyard and Action Card

• Certificate to say you are a Youth Mental Health First Aider 

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Course outline;

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Session One – About mental health 

• About Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Context: England’s child health care policy

• About mental health – facts and figures

• Risk factors for mental ill health

• Protective factors for mental health

• Preventing mental health issues and promoting wellbeing

• The Youth MHFA action plan: ALGEE

 

Session Two - Depression and anxiety 

• About depression – facts and figures

• Signs and symptoms

• Risk factors

• About anxiety disorders – facts and figures

• Signs and symptoms

• Risk factors

• The MHFA action plan for depression and anxiety: ALGEE

 

Session Three - Suicide and psychosis

• About suicide

• Risk factors and warning signs for suicide

• First aid for suicidal crisis

• About psychosis

• Risk factors and warning signs of psychosis

• Types of psychotic disorders

• Crisis first aid for acute psychosis

• The MHFA action plan for psychosis: ALGEE

 

Session Four - Self-harm and eating disorders

• About self-harm – facts and figures

• Risk factors

• Signs and symptoms

• The MHFA action plan for self-harm: ALGEE

• About eating disorders – facts and figures

• Different types of eating disorders

• The MHFA action plan for eating disorders: ALGEE

• Recovery

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