This 16-hour Mental Health First Aid (Youth) course qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider which is accredited by MHFA England CIC. Take this course to learn about mental health and gain skills in order to make a difference to someone in need. Your instructor will be Jay Thompson who is a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, Registered Nurse (Mental Health) & Mental Health First Aid Instructor. 

Mental Health First Aid (Youth) courses are for everyone who works with, lives with or supports young people aged 8-18. You will gain the skills and confidence to spot the signs of mental health issues in a young person, offer first aid and guide them towards the support they need. In doing so, you can speed up a young person’s recovery and stop a mental health issue from getting worse.

As a Mental Health First Aider you will have:

• An in depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect wellbeing
• Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
• Confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress
• Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
• Knowledge to help a young person recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s through self-help sites, their place of learning, the NHS, or a combination – engaging with parents, carers and external agencies where appropriate
• Ability to support a young person with a long-term mental health issue or disability
• Tools to look after your own mental wellbeing

Participants receive a comprehensive manual and workbook as well as a certificate of attendance.

About the trainer

Jay Thompson is a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and Registered Nurse (Mental Health) who is qualified as a Mental Health First Aid instructor through Mental Health First Aid England CIC. Jay has worked across the UK and Isle of Man in a range of services including inpatient mental health services, NHS community teams, and in the third sector, providing therapy and psychological treatment. Jay specialises in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety, depression, and trauma-related difficulties.

Jay is an experienced trainer and facilitator who makes training accessible, engaging, and practical. Jay has delivered training and consultation to a range of organisations in settings including health & social care, corporate, industry and voluntary sectors.

The Venue & Timings

The course will be held at St Johns Football Club, tea and coffee will be provided. There is free car parking on site. 

Please arrive by 09:15 on both days. We aim to finish no later than 16:30. 

What do I need to bring? 

Please bring some lunch with you as well as a pen and paper. 

Accessibility 

If you have any physical, mental or learning needs please let Jay know ahead of the course in order to make arrangements to ensure you are well accommodated. 

Whilst rewarding and informative, this course can also be emotive and challenging at times. Please speak to Jay if you have any questions or concerns. 

Cancelation 

We reserve the right to cancel the course up to 7 days in advance in the unlikely event that the minimum number of participants isn't reached. 

If you need to cancel a refund can be made up to 14 days in advance.