Youth Mental Health First Aid — 2-day course
The youth-focused equivalent of the two-day course: trains adults to spot and support mental health issues in children and young people aged 8 to 18.
Youth Mental Health First Aid trains adults to recognise the signs of emerging mental health issues in young people aged 8–18 and to provide early support. It covers the issues most relevant to young people — including anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders and the impact of social media and bullying — and how to have supportive conversations across the adult–young person dynamic.
It is widely taken up in schools and colleges, sports clubs, youth organisations and by parents, and is often specified in safeguarding-conscious settings.
What you'll learn
- Recognise the signs of mental ill health in young people
- Understand the factors that affect young people’s wellbeing, including online life
- Use a youth-adapted first aid action plan, including in a crisis
- Signpost young people and families to appropriate support
Who it's for
- Teachers, teaching assistants and school pastoral staff
- Youth workers, sports coaches and activity leaders
- Foster carers and parents
- Safeguarding leads
Things to consider
- Focused on ages 8–18 — for supporting adults, take the standard two-day course
- Schools often prefer in-person delivery on an INSET day; both formats carry the same certification
Frequently asked questions
Is this the right course for school staff?
For staff supporting pupils, yes — it is designed around the 8–18 age range. Schools sometimes pair it with the adult course for staff-wellbeing leads so both pupils and colleagues are covered.