Would you know how to help?
  • 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 to 25 had a probable mental health condition in 2023 – an increase from 1 in 9 in 2017 (1). 
  • In 2024, the number of referrals to mental health services increased to 120,000 a month, compared to around 40,000 a month in 2016 (2).  
     

Academic pressures, social media, bullying, poverty, inequality, and the lack of timely professional mental health support available are all contributing factors. 

It’s clear that young people are not getting the support they need. Key figures in a young person’s life – including parents, guardians, carers, teachers, and youth workers – can often spot when a young person is struggling but may not know how best to help. 
  

Learn to support young people

Our Youth Mental Health First Aid courses are for anyone who lives with, works with, or supports young people aged 8 to 18. 

We train the adults in a young person’s life to have the skills and confidence to identify poor mental health and provide first-level support where it’s needed. In doing so, they can speed up a young person’s recovery, prevent their mental health from deteriorating, and ultimately save lives. 

What’s more, by giving learners the tools to look after their own mental health, we can set a positive example for young people. We need to show that mental health should be treated equally to physical health, and that it’s okay to talk about it and to ask for help. 

Together we will create mentally healthy, supportive environments at home and in schools, colleges, youth groups, and communities. 

Accessibility

We strive to create courses and resources that everyone can access. When you book onto a course through the MHFA England website, please fill in the ‘Accessibility requirements’ section of the booking form and tell us what you need to access the course venue and materials.

Visit our accessibility page for more information.
 

Resources

Take a look at our free downloadable resources for young people's mental health including a list of helpful organisations, guidance for having a supportive conversation, film clips, an interactive quiz and more. See the latest resources.

Resources for schools


References:  
1. Newlove-Delgado T, Marcheselli F, Williams T, Mandalia D, Dennes M, McManus S, Savic M, Treloar W, Croft K, Ford T. (2023) Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2023. NHS England, Leeds. Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2023-wave-4-follow-up 

2. Lord Darzi. (2024). Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England. Department of Health and Social Care, UK Government. Available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66f42ae630536cb92748271f/Lord-Darzi-Independent-Investigation-of-the-National-Health-Service-in-England-Updated-25-September.pdf  

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