As the world becomes a more crowded place and the future grows ever more uncertain it is often young people who feel the stress and uncertainty the most. Statistics indicate that the prevalence of mental health issues among young people has risen markedly in recent decades and that anxiety and depression have become major concerns.

Teenagers in particular have shown an increasing tendency toward self-harm and other manifestations of mental health problems and yet these issues are almost entirely bypassed by the news media and are kept out of the public discourse. If we are to support young people we must shine a light on the issue and remove the stigma associated with the term “mental health issue”.

It is vital that mental health issues affecting young people be recognised and treated as early and comprehensively as possible. Up to now, however, people have been taught to “mind their own business” when it comes to others. Under normal circumstances that can be considered sound advice, but when it comes to mentally or emotionally distressed youngsters it is vitally important that we not shy away from recognising a mental health issue or disability. Our youth mental health first aid courses enable you to do just that, and to learn effective ways of guiding them to further support.

It has long been known that, if left untreated, certain mental health issues in young people can become precursors to more serious outcomes when they reach adulthood. But it does not have to be so. By becoming a mental health first aider you can make a quantifiable difference in the life of a young person. And our MHFA courses will teach you how to do just that. The need is great and the cost of inaction unacceptably high.