Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training

Course Details

• 2-day course

• 9am-5pm (15th and 16th December)

• Price includes registration for both days and includes take-home Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual

• Includes 3-year accreditation as a Youth Mental Health First Aider, with recognised certificate of accreditation provided upon successful completion of the course.

Instructor Profile

Abbie is a qualified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, high school teacher and Associate Lecturer at the University of Newcastle. Abbie's doctoral thesis explored teachers' confidence and preparedness to support student mental health issues. The findings from Abbie's research highlighted the urgent need for teacher training to support youth mental health. As a result, Abbie founded Mentally Trained to provide much needed guidance and training to both preservice and practicing teachers.

YMHFA Summary

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to young people (aged 12–18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, until professional help is available or the situation improves. Participants learn to recognise signs of common mental health concerns, how to respond using an evidence-based action plan, and how to encourage appropriate help-seeking.

Adults who complete the course become Youth Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders), equipped with the knowledge and confidence to offer timely mental health support.

YMHFA Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: 

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in young people 

• Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation 

• Assess for a range of crisis situations and provide initial support 

• Understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses, risk factors and treatments and supports available 

• Distinguish between normal and expected changes during adolescence and development of mental health problems 

• Understand the scope of the Mental Health First Aider role and the medical rights of minors 

• Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider. 

YMHFA Course Content

This course covers common and disabling mental health problems and crisis situations. Participants learn how to apply mental health first aid to young people across a range of situations, including: 

• Depression 

• Anxiety 

• Eating disorders 

• Substance use problems 

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours 

• Panic attacks 

• Non suicidal self-injury