MHFA CORE COURSES
Teen Mental Health First Aid
What Will Students Learn?
Students learn the teen MHFA Action Plan, as well as information about different types of mental health problems and mental health crisis situations in young people, and the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Rather than discussing in depth individual mental illnesses, the focus is on learning to recognise changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviour that indicate that there might be a mental health problem.
The course also covers mental health crisis situations, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury, intoxication, and bullying and abuse.
In the senior program students (graded 10 to 12), the focus is on crises interventions which involves frank discussions of suicide. A sharp, well written and powerful video showing a young man helping a suicidal friend is used to demonstrate how to talk about suicide and assist someone who is having thoughts of suicide along with range of support tools.
In the junior program (grades 7-9) crises are not as heavily empasised. The focus is directed toward noticing change and the connections between thoughts feeling and behaviours, however the same action plan is taught and information provided where relevant to ensure all required learning opportunities are fully and adequately met.
Both courses have a central focus of getting an adult involved whilst equipping our students with the skills they need to keep not only their friend, but themselves safe.
For a summary of research data, manual content and objectives please download the What is teen MHFA? booklet here.
Course Structure
& Inclusions:
Who can hold & attend this course?
This is course is most popular with secondary schools, sporting clubs and community/ youth groups. Any organisation that has an interested body of young people in Grades 7 through 12 can take part.
Course participants
will receive:
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The highest leave of professional accredited facilitation from a proficient educational professional
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Individually prepared FAQ sheets for school staff, students and parents to aid in course preparation
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A copy of the most current teen MHFA Manual
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Additional relevant resources
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A Certificate of Completion - Hard copy to put towards student portfolios/ resumes
Course Delivery
The fixed delivery format is 3 interactive classroom sessions of approx.60 min for the Grades 7 -9 course and 75 min for the Grades 10-12 course. These sessions have been constructed to fit over a typical double period.
Developing mental health problems covered:
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Anxiety disorders
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Depressive disorders
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Eating disorders
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Alcohol and other drug use disorders
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Psychotic disorders
Mental health crisis situations covered:
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Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
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Non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called deliberate self-harm)
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Being very intoxicated from alcohol and other drugs
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Bullying or abuse
Important Considerations
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Please note that this training is not recommended for an entire group of at-risk young people, nor is this course a therapy or group support session.
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The entire cohort must be involved, not a select number of chosen or volunteering students. All organisations should therefore present this course as an and op-out program rather than an op-in.
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This course can not be run as a mass group- groups have a max of 30 per class.
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This course cannot be run in a single day nor can it be run on consecutive days- this is non-negotiable. Session must be spread out, ideally with 1 session each week for 3 weeks.
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Adults whom care for or work with this group of young people must have completed the Youth MHFA course prior, within a school the requirement is at least 10% of staff being accredited as Youth Mental Health First Aiders.
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Information for both parents, staff and students in preparation for the training, including the viewing of a short video must be distributed before the commencement of training