The research shows that if young people develop a mental health issue and they do not get early treatment and support the problem grows. We see early school leaving, withdrawal from friends and social situations, increased risk of developing other mental health and substance use issues and quite possibly premature death. Young people experiencing mental health issues are at higher risk of developing behaviours such as non-suicidal self-injury to deal with their emotions. Ultimately, young people experiencing acute mental health issues who feel they have a lack of support can turn to suicide, the leading cause of death for young Australians.
You can help young people to feel supported!
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We guarantee this will be the most useful youth mental health training you do this year. If you disagree we will refund your fee, no questions asked.
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Endorsed Continuing Professional Development
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course has been endorsed for CPD Points by the above organisations
When I was starting out in my youth work career I saw just how much need there was in many of the young people I was working with. Particularly, I saw the early signs of mental health becoming a problem for a lot of them. Withdrawal, family issues, anger I could see it as clear as day… I just wasn’t sure how to approach them about what I was seeing. I attended a mental health first aid course in 2007 and from that time on I have had confidence in how to support young people experiencing mental health problems.
Since 2016 I have taught the Youth Mental Health First Aid course to dozens of groups of people from all walks of life. School teachers, social workers, youth workers, pastors, community leaders and concerned citizens. One teacher said of the course, “it was a very informative two days, the content was presented in a really understandable way. This course has given me the knowledge and vocabulary to further support my students”.
A community leader in a recent course said, “It was just what me and my team needed as we are dealing with many ‘at-risk’ young people in our town every week”.
A youth worker in our last course said, “This was one of the best courses I have attended. Although the subject matter was at times difficult it was handled in a clear but empathetic way. I believe the learning I got from this course will positively impact me personally and professionally”.
In 2017 I trained over 100 people to implement the ALGEE framework with young people who are developing a mental illness, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or who are in a mental health crisis. Our goal for 2018 is to train over 300 people to support young people. Will you be one of them? As one participant says, “It’s a wonderful training course to take part in, covering a range of mental health issues. We were provided with clear insight and action plans to follow if we were dealing with a mental health problem. It was beneficial to learn about ALGEE and practice applying this when learning about the different course content”.
Aaron Garth
Ultimate Youth Worker
Many adults who work with young people are at least vaguely aware of the depth of need our young people have. The need for support. The need to feel understood. The need to have a safe adult to talk too. Unfortunately, most young people feel that they are unable to access the support they need in this world of burden.
That’s where we come in.
You can join over half a million Australians who have completed mental health first aid since 2001.
Become the one person that a young person can rely on. Learn Youth Mental Health First Aid.
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What does the Youth Mental Health First Aid course cover?
You won’t learn more about mental health in two days.
A 14-hour course that teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental illness, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Course participants learn about adolescent development, the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people, where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.
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Module #1 Depression
Major Depressive Disorder lasts for at least two weeks and affects a person’s ability to carry out their work and usual daily activities, and to have satisfying personal relationships.
Module #2 Anxiety Problems
Everyone experiences anxiety at some time. Anxiety problems differ from normal anxiety in that they are more severe, longer lasting and with a person’s work, other activities or relationships.
Module #3 Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are not just about food, weight, appearance or will-power but are serious and potentially life threatening illnesses.
Module #4 Psychosis
Psychosis is a general term to describe when a person has lost some contact with reality. There are severe disturbances in thinking emotion and behaviour.
Module #5 Substance Use Problems
Because the brains of adolescents are still developing, alcohol and other drugs have more serious effects on this age group.
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YMHFA Course Contents
Here’s a break-down of the full contents of the YMHFA training course.
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- Depression
- Anxiety Problems
- Psychosis
- Substance use problems
- Eating disorders
Crisis Contents
Mental health crisis situations covered are:[/text_block]
- 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
After recently surveying our network of volunteers, paid youth leaders and young people it was obvious that mental health was a priority in everyone’s eyes. Our youth leaders didn’t know how to approach the issue of mental health with young people. When they did they felt unsure if they were doing it right. We had some resources at the Office for Youth however we had not done any specific training in this area ourselves.
The team at Ultimate Youth Worker was able to tailor the Youth Mental Health First Aid course to our specific needs and context. Spending two days with our volunteer and paid youth leaders from around Melbourne diving in to the issues that we see in our young people was so helpful. Aaron has a rich experience in the youth mental health field which added flavour to our training and demystified mental health for us.
The best part was it was so easy to put on the course. Aaron and his team look after all the content and provide all the material. We are putting the knowledge from the Youth Mental Health First Aid course into our resource manual for youth leaders and are looking at how we can roll out the course to more of our leaders in the future. We recommend this course to every youth leader.
Leeann & Llewy
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, Office for Youth
You will have the knowledge and skills to help
Over the two days you get many opportunities to practice the skills you need to be able to effectively support a young person experiencing mental health problems. Best of all you get the peace of mind that you will be able to help the young people in your life when they need it most.
If you really want to support young people when they are facing the difficulties in their life, then this course is for you.[/text_block]
Whether you are a student, concession card holder, teacher, youth worker or just a concerned citizen we have a price that suits you.[/text_block]
Sam, Social Work Student
It means a lot to know that there’s people like yourself who are willing to offer your insight and time to our personal development. A MASSIVE thanks again for presenting in such a powerful, yet sensitive and accommodating way last week. I believe all from our group found the information and experience you offered incredibly helpful.
Brian, Youth Minister
It was good to hear what you had to say about youth and mental health. It was challenging to realise that there are some deep and significant issues in this age group too. Thank you for not shying away from these.
We believe in supporting students to receive the best professional development at a price you can afford. We remember how hard it was to get good training and still be able to eat for the rest of the week, so to help you out we provide the course to you at a HUGE discount.
This course is the best two days training in mental health you can do. For the price of a good night out with friends you will learn the skills to save lives and limit crises. We would love to see every person trained in supporting young people experiencing mental health issues.
If you are an Alumni of Eastern College Australia or MST then this little discount is for you. All the awesomeness of the course for 20% less. We want to see our students develop the skills to support young people in their context. We know you love to learn, so we want to reward you.
Of course, if you do come along and spend two days with us, you will recognise the developing signs of mental health as they begin to affect your young people. You will know the world famous ALGEE framework which will give you the right words to speak to show that you understand what is going on for your young people. Above all of this, you will know what to do to get your young people the support they need to thrive.[/text_block]
Still wondering if this is for you?
If you want to be prepared to support the young people you work with who are struggling with mental health issues then this is the best course for you. Framed by renowned Australian Psychiatrist Tony Jorm, Internationally recognised in 22 countries with over 2 million people trained… You need to do this course.[/text_block]
