Families - Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
for youth
Teen MHFA is an age appropriate training course for secondary school students in years 7-9 and 10-12.
Teen MHFA empowers young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support their peers.
The 3-part program develops a student's ability to recognise when a friend is developing a mental health problem.
They’ll learn how to help in a crisis situation and connect with a trusted adult.
DELIVERY
3 x 60 minute classroom sessions.
Delivered to whole year groups by MHFA accredited trainers.
Multimedia presentations, small group activities and class discussions.
Each student receives their own Mental Health First Aid Manual and certificate.
CONTENT
Students will learn how to
recognise changes in a friends’ thinking, feelings or behaviour that may indicate a mental health problem.
offer mental health first aid support
connect their friend with a trusted adult.
apply the MHFA Action Plan
This is not therapy or counselling.
BENEFITS
The course gives students the ability to help when mental health problems such as depression and anxiety first emerge. Falling grades, problems with relationships and substance abuse can have a lifelong impact. That is why early intervention is so important.
Accessible through schools and communities.
Complements adult mental health first aid training and other mental health supports.
Improves understanding of mental health problems (recognition and response).
Improves helpful intentions towards peers (likelihood of providing support).
Reduces stigmatising attitudes or misconceptions about mental illness.
Improves recognition of support pathways e.g. teachers, school counsellors and mental health services.
Increases social connectedness and reduces isolation.
Empowers young people to help other young people – playing an active role in mental health knowledge and skills for life.
cost
Packages are tailored to your group numbers.
PREREQUISITES
A minimum of 10% of school staff must be trained in MHFA before this course can be delivered to students and therefore have the skills to support a young person.
“It’s a very helpful course in general. Giving me the ability to help others and even myself.”