Youth Mental Health First Aid - Online

Course outcomes

As a Youth MHFAider® you will be able to:

• Explain what mental health is ​
• Describe how to look after your own mental health and wellbeing ​
• Describe the signs of poor mental health in young people ​
• Explain some of the risk factors associated with poor mental health in young people ​
• Demonstrate how to apply the Youth MHFA action plan (ALGEE®) in a Youth Mental Health First Aid conversation ​
• Describe the role of a Youth MHFAider®
• Know how to use the MHFAider Support App®
• Know how to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England

Format

This is an online course structured across four 3.5 hour sessions.

We limit numbers to 16 people per course so that the instructor can keep people safe and supported while they learn.

Support beyond the course

On completion of the course, you will get:

• A copy of the workbook to support your learning throughout the course
• A digital manual to refer to whenever you need it
• A wallet-sized reference card with the Youth MHFA action plan (ALGEE)
• A digital Youth MHFAider certificate valid for three years

Following the course, you will be invited to join the Association of Mental Health First Aiders – England’s first and only membership body for MHFAiders, and the largest community of its kind.

The Association of Mental Health First Aiders gives you access to exclusive resources and learning opportunities to empower you to carry out your role effectively. This includes:

• The MHFAider Support App®. Access to features such as a 24/7 text support service, signposting to a national database of health services, and insights that teach critical self-care skills
• The MHFA England Online Learning Hub. This includes resources such as course manuals and Youth MHFAider guides ​
• First-hand insights. Learn from real people sharing their honest and lived experiences of mental health conditions ​
• Online networking. Invites to exclusive quarterly webinars to help Youth MHFAiders carry out their role with confidence, skill, and care ​
• Monthly newsletters. Youth MHFAiders are kept up to date with all the latest news from our community

Course structure

Session 1

• What is mental health?
• What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?
• Your role as a Youth MHFAider
• What influences mental health?
• The Mental Health Continuum
• The Frame of Reference
• The Stress Container

Session 2

• The adolescent brain ​
• The Youth MHFA action plan
• Youth MHFA conversation in action
• Boundaries of your role
• What is anxiety?
• Crisis first aid for panic attacks
• What is a traumatic event?
• Applying Youth MHFA to case studies

Session 3

• Recap Youth MHFA action plan
• Supporting young people from marginalised groups
• What is depression?
• What is self-harm?
• Suicide thoughts and behaviours
• What is self-care?

Session 4

• Addictive behaviours and substance misuse
• Applying the Youth MHFA action plan to scenarios
• What is psychosis?
• What is disordered eating?
• Recovery
• Reviewing the Youth MHFAider role and boundaries
• Youth MHFA conversation practise

Course schedule

Session 1 Mon 26 Jan 2026 09.30 – 13.00

Session 2 Tue 27 Jan 2026 09.30 – 13.00

Session 3 Wed 28 Jan 2026 09.30 – 13.00

Session 4 Thu 29 Jan 2026 09.30 – 13.00

Contact: james@allaboutthemind.com

https://allaboutthemind.com/