Youth Mental Health First Aid, facilitated by parents for volunteers and parents

THIS COURSE IF FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE SEE THE ST IVES TRAINING BEING HELD ON SUNDAY 27 JULY.

Blended Face-to-Face:  self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by a one day (7 hours) face-to-face session,

Sunday June, 8.45am - 4.45pm, Marsfield Community Centre, Marsfield.

What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person (aged 12–18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received, or the crisis resolves.  

Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adolescents, how to recognise and respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem, and the treatments and supports available.

Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, course participants learn how to approach a young person they are concerned about and initiate a conversation about those concerns. Participants also learn how to offer initial support and information and how to help a young person to seek professional help or other supports. 

Adults who complete the course become Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders), equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to provide someone with mental health information and support when it matters most. 

This course is recognised by Suicide Prevention Australia as a safe, high-quality, and effective suicide prevention program. Learn more.

The face to face portion of the course will be facilitated by YMHFA Australia qualified instructors Vivienne Hughes and Madeleine Steel. We look forward to seeing you there :)

• Why YMHFA?

  Evidence-based: All Mental Health First Aid courses are based on guidelines that are informed by people with lived experience, their caregivers, and mental health professionals.

  Rigorously evaluated: Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and confidence in providing mental health first aid to individuals.

  Skills-based: Teaches the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a difference.

  Internationally recognised: Over 6 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across 25 countries.

• 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.

• Suitability

  Suitable for parents, carers and adults supporting adolescents across a wide range of settings including schools, community groups, organisations and sporting clubs.

  Any adult (aged 18+) can attend.

• 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

• Duration and Format

  Blended Face-to-Face:  self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by a one day (7 hours)face-to-face session

  All sessions are led by an MHFA trained and Licensed Instructor.

• Accreditation

  You can complete the short assessment at the end of a course to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider).

  Accreditations are valid for 3 years.

  Learn more about the role of an MHFAider

Questions? Email EPIC at here, or call EPIC on 02 8428 0913

YMHFA Mosman, 30 March, 2025

Thank you to the City of Ryde Council for providing the location for this training.

This activity is funded by the BUPA Foundation

"I’ve really enjoyed the training today. It was definitely worth spending a Sunday doing this. The quality of the information, the examples and the diverse training materials (audio, visual, screen, handouts, book) were very good. Great to have the statistics as well. It’s amazing to have a free course that is so valuable. Thank you EPIC! "

Anonymous Mosman YMHFA attendee