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

We look at how to effectively communicate with young people using the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan. You will learn how to approach someone you are concerned about and how to initiate a conversation with them.

Mental Health Problems Covered:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Psychosis

• Substance Use Problems

• Eating disorders

Mental Health Crisis situations covered are:

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours

• Non-suicidal self-injury

• Panic attacks

• Traumatic events

• Severe effects of drug or alcohol use

• Severe psychotic states

• Aggressive behaviours​

• Evaluations consistently show that by attending a course, participants improve their knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments.

• Participants also report improved confidence in providing mental health first aid. Through improved mental health literacy, much of the stigma surrounding mental health problems is also reduced.

During the course we look at we look at your role in providing mental health first aid, including your legal responsibilities, the medical rights of minors, and what to do if a young person doesn't want help.

Your role as a Mental Health First Aider is to act as a point of contact and provide reassurance for a young person who may be experiencing a mental health problem or emotional distress.

Maintaining appropriate boundaries is a key part of successfully providing mental health first aid and keeping yourself safe as well. It's important to remember that our courses don't teach people to be therapists or counsellors and they don't teach how to diagnose mental illnesses or provide ongoing support.