Youth Mental Health First Aid - Tauranga

Help young people feel seen. Be the person who notices.

Our young people are facing more mental health challenges than ever before—and many adults still feel unsure how to help.

This two-day, evidence-based course teaches you how to recognise the signs of mental distress in rangatahi aged 11–18, how to respond safely and effectively, and how to connect them with the right support.

Facilitated by Ryan Collier, founder of Scendent and a certified Youth MHFA Instructor through Te Pou, this workshop combines practical tools, lived experience, and culturally responsive care in a way that’s real, empowering, and rooted in community.

Workshop Details

📍 Location: Tauranga Club, Tauranga
📅 Dates: Monday 28 April & Tuesday 29 April
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM both days
🎓 Certification: Youth Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa (valid 3 years)
💼 Facilitator: Ryan Collier, Scendent Founder | MHFA Accredited Instructor (Te Pou)

Early intervention refers to recognising the warning signs of a mental health or substance use challenge and acting before it gets worse. When you realise the signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge early, it may be easier to get appropriate help from a counselor or medical professional before it becomes worse. Studies have shown that proper care and treatment make complete recovery from a mental health or substance use challenge attainable.

1 in 5 New Zealand adults experience mental health challenges in any year at home, the workplace and in the wider community.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for anyone who supports or interacts with young people:

• Parents and caregivers

• Teachers, coaches, and school support staff

• Youth workers and mentors

• Community leaders, social service providers, or volunteers

No previous mental health experience is required.

What You’ll Learn

Developed by Mental Health First Aid International and adapted for Aotearoa by Te Pou, this course covers:

• Common mental health challenges in young people: anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, and self-injury

• Warning signs and how to notice them early

• How to respond with the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)

• How to approach a young person, listen without judgment, and respond in a way that upholds mana and is culturally safe

• How to support someone in crisis (including panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, or aggressive behaviours)

• How to guide a young person toward professional help and self-support strategies

• How to maintain your own mental wellbeing while supporting others

Why It Matters

Mental health struggles often go unseen—or get noticed too late.
This course helps you be someone who sees, understands, and knows how to show up. It’s not about becoming a professional—it’s about becoming a safe, informed, and confident first responder in a young person’s life.

You’ll walk away with a nationally recognised certificate, greater confidence, and practical tools you can use the next day.

What Makes This Workshop Different?

Facilitated by Ryan Collier, this workshop reflects both the depth of Te Pou’s MHFA framework and the heart-led mission of Scendent—a movement committed to building real support systems through content, community, and action.

Ryan brings a unique blend of youth experience, mental health advocacy, and kaupapa Māori-informed facilitation that makes this space welcoming, grounded, and deeply human.

Where does the money go???

Like everything Scendnet Related .... profits from this workshop go directly to Scendent’s Charitable Trust—supporting our mission to create free mental health resources, community events, and crisis support projects for rangatahi and their whānau across Aotearoa. Your booking doesn’t just build your skills—it helps build a future where mental health support is free, fast, and human.