top of page

14 HOUR - YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE

A comprehensive course for any adult who lives or works with adolescents
Youth MHFA - available as Face to Face, Blended Face to Face or Online Delivery

​SAFER COMMUNITIES MOST POPULAR COURSE

Why do the 14 Hour Youth Mental Health First Aid course?

Be the Difference in a Young Person’s Toughest Moment
 

Empower yourself with Youth MHFA skills to support their mental health journey.

Support Student Wellbeing with Youth Mental Health First Aid

Australian Government health studies show that around 2 in 5 adolescents will experience a mental illness in any given year. Schools are uniquely placed to notice when students are struggling—but knowing how to respond appropriately is vital.

The 14-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course provides practical, evidence-based training to help staff recognise the signs, approach with confidence, and respond effectively to students experiencing mental health challenges or crises.

While physical first aid is standard in most schools, mental health issues are even more common among young people. This course ensures your staff are equipped to support students’ mental wellbeing as part of a whole-school approach to care.

 

This training is ideal for:

  • Teachers and school leadership

  • Wellbeing and support staff

  • Education assistants and aides

  • Youth Workers

  • Parents and Caregivers

  • Any school personnel who work closely with students

 

Flexible Delivery to Suit Your School

 

Youth MHFA training can be delivered onsite, online, or in a blended format, making it easy to fit into your school’s calendar. The course supports the development of a mentally healthy school culture and aligns with national frameworks such as Be You and the Student Wellbeing Framework.

 

About the Instructor
 

Mark Smith is a nationally recognised Youth MHFA Instructor and Consultant Trainer with MHFA Australia. Since 2010, he has trained thousands of school staff across the country. In his consultant role, Mark also trains and assesses new Youth MHFA Instructors, ensuring the highest standard of program delivery.

Mental health problems covered are:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Psychosis

  • Substance use problems

  • Eating disorders​

Mental health crisis situations covered are:

  • 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

  • Aggressive behaviours

Face to Face or Online Youth MHFA?

Safer Communities recommends attending a face to face course if you are able to make it to one of our training locations.​ See our Face to Face and Online dates here.

 

Online training provides access to those living away from our training locations and also flexibility to those with busy schedules.

 

Similarities

All the same content is covered in both delivery modes

Participants are able to be accredited for three years as a MHFAider

Participants receive a hard copy of the Youth MHFA Training Manual

 

Differences

Online mode involves two components:

Component One: Self-paced eLearning Modules (5 Hours approx) 

Component Two: 3 x 2.5 Hour Workshop Webinars delivered by Zoom (This component can be done Face to Face by negotiation for larger groups - 15 or more)

 

Face to Face mode is completed in 2 days (14 Hours)

Helping Hand Icon
bottom of page