Youth Mental Health First Aid
A two-day, MHFA England-accredited course training adults who support young people to become Youth MHFAiders®, who can spot the signs, start a conversation, safeguard and signpost.
Become a Youth Mental Health First Aider®
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course helps learners spot signs of poor mental health in young people, start supportive conversations, safeguard appropriately and signpost towards the right support. It is designed for anyone who lives with, works with or supports young people aged 8 to 18.
Updated for 2026, this course has been redeveloped through an inclusive lens and informed by the latest research, with extensive input from young people with lived experience.
What is Youth Mental Health First Aid Training?
Youth Mental Health First Aid is training that helps adults recognise when a young person may be experiencing poor mental health or emotional distress, and respond in a supportive, appropriate way.
The course focuses on building confidence, awareness and practical skills. Learners are introduced to the Youth MHFA action plan, known as ALGEE®, and explore how to apply it in real conversations with young people.
The aim for us is to help you understand the role of a Youth MHFAider®, including boundaries, safeguarding, signposting and self-care. For schools, children’s services, health teams and youth-facing organisations, Youth Mental Health First Aid can support a more confident and compassionate approach to young people’s wellbeing.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is suitable for anyone who lives with, works with or supports young people aged 8 to 18.
The course is ideal for people who want to feel more confident recognising signs of poor mental health in young people and having supportive, careful conversations.
It may be particularly useful for organisations that want to create a shared understanding of young people’s mental health, strengthen safeguarding awareness and support early, appropriate signposting.
What Will Learners Gain From The Course?
This course provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills to recognise the signs of mental health challenges in young people and respond with confidence. By the end of the training, you will understand how to offer initial support, communicate effectively with young people experiencing mental health difficulties and encourage access to appropriate professional help.
Learners will explore how to:
- Explain what mental health is
- Describe how to look after their own mental health and wellbeing
- Recognise signs of poor mental health in young people
- Understand risk factors that may affect young people’s mental health
- Apply the Youth MHFA action plan, ALGEE®, in a real conversation
- Understand the role of a Youth MHFAider®, including boundaries
- Use the MHFAider Support App®
- Access Shout’s text support service
- Continue learning through the Association of Mental Health First Aiders®
The course is designed to be practical and supportive and helps you understand that it’s not about having all the answers – the focus is on noticing concerns, listening carefully, safeguarding appropriately and helping young people access further support when needed.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is delivered over two days
This course is delivered either face-to-face or online.The course is delivered across four flexible 4-hour sessions that build on each other. It includes instructor-led training, group discussion and individual and group activities.
This format gives learners time to reflect, ask questions and develop confidence gradually. It also allows space to explore sensitive topics with care and respect.
Changing Minds Training creates a warm, inclusive and supportive learning environment where learners can engage with the subject in a way that feels safe, practical and grounded.
What Does The Course Cover?
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is structured across four sessions.
Session 1
The first session introduces learners to mental health, Youth MHFA and the role of the Youth MHFAider®. It also explores what influences mental health, the Mental Health Continuum, the Frame of Reference and the Stress Container.
This session helps learners build a foundation for understanding young people’s mental health and the factors that may affect wellbeing.
Session 2
The second session explores the adolescent brain, the Youth MHFA action plan in practice and the boundaries of the Youth MHFAider® role.
Learners also look at anxiety, crisis first aid for panic attacks, traumatic events and case studies.
This session supports learners to understand how young people may respond to pressure, distress or difficult experiences, and how adults can respond with care.
Session 3
The third session revisits the Youth MHFA action plan and explores supporting marginalised young people.
It also covers depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and self-care. These topics are approached with sensitivity, respect and a focus on awareness, safeguarding and appropriate support.
Session 4
The final session explores addictive behaviours and substance misuse, scenario practice, psychosis, disordered eating, recovery, reviewing the Youth MHFAider® role and boundaries, and conversation practice.
Learners have the opportunity to bring together their learning and consider how they can apply it in real settings.
What Will Learners Receive?
After completing the course, learners receive a range of resources to support their ongoing confidence and development.
Course takeaways include:
These resources are designed to support learners beyond the course itself, helping them continue developing their understanding and confidence as Youth MHFAiders®.
Why Choose Changing Minds Training?
wellbeing training built around compassion, lived experience and practical skills.
Youth mental health can feel like a sensitive and sometimes overwhelming subject. Our approach is warm, practical and reassuring, helping learners feel more prepared without expecting them to become clinical experts.
Our training is:
- Compassionate and confidence-building
- Sensitive around young people’s mental health
- Practical and grounded in real conversations
- Clear about boundaries, safeguarding and signposting
- Supportive of learner self-care
- Suitable for schools, services, care settings and community organisations
We understand the importance of creating a learning space where people can ask questions, reflect honestly and build the confidence to take appropriate next steps.
Public & Private Course Delivery
Public Courses
Public courses are suitable for individuals and small groups who would like to join an open course. These may be delivered online or at a public venue.
Private Courses
Private courses are delivered for one organisation at your premises, a chosen venue or online. This can be a helpful option for schools, multi-academy trusts, children’s services, health teams or youth-facing organisations that want to train a group together.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is available for groups of up to 16 learners.
Individual Rate
Group Rate
Is this the right course for your team?
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a strong option if you want adults in your organisation or community to feel more confident supporting young people’s mental health.
It may be particularly useful if you want to:
- Build confidence in recognising signs of poor mental health in young people
- Support staff who work with young people aged 8 to 18
- Strengthen safeguarding awareness and appropriate signposting
- Create a more compassionate and informed approach to young people’s wellbeing
- Give staff a clear framework for supportive conversations
- Support self-care for adults in youth-facing roles
If you’re not sure whether Youth Mental Health First Aid is the right level of training, get in touch and we can help you compare options and choose the most suitable pathway.
Enquire about Mental Health First Aid training
If you are looking for youth mental health first aid training for yourself, your team, school, service or organisation, we would be happy to help.
Get in touch to discuss public course options, private training for your organisation or the most suitable mental health training pathway for your setting.
- Call Us Directly01737 632279
- Send an Emailenquiries@changingmindstraining.com
- Business Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM