Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)

Course Overview

Course Description

Learn how to assist an adolescent experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis by using a practical, evidence-based action plan to support them until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Ideal for adults who work, live or care for adolescents, such as school staff, parents, sports coaches, community group leaders and youth workers

You will learn:

• about adolescent development
• the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people
• where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness
• ways to help that have been shown by research to be effective
• how to provide mental health first aid in a crisis situation.

This youth mental health first aid course covers:

• developing mental health problems, including depression, anxiety problems, psychosis, substance use problems and eating disorders
• mental health crisis situations, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called deliberate self-harm), panic attacks, traumatic events, severe effects of drug or alcohol use, severe psychotic states and aggressive behaviours.

This training is for adults who work, live or care for adolescents, such as school staff, parents, sports coaches, community group leaders and youth workers. All participants receive a Youth Mental Health Training Manual.

Facilitator Bio

Vincent has worked in the child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing field for the past 15 years. He is also a lecturer within the youth work, mental health, and child and family intervention, and community services sectors.

Vincent managed the South Australian Kidsmatter and Mindsmatter national Mental Health Initiative in Schools contracts. He worked worked nationally and internationally with education staff and wellbeing and leadership teams embedding frameworks and strengthening consistency of knowledge to support their unique whole school community’s mental health and wellbeing.

Vincent works with corporate teams, school leadership, staff, and school wellbeing teams within consultancy to support best practices for students and staff suffering from mental health difficulties.