Following the first training session held by the Molly Rose Foundation, in 2019, two more Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses have been completed and MRF will be organising further sessions once we’re able. Options including online delivery are currently being considered.
Prior to the Covid-19 lockdown we hosted a one-day session run for us at Marlborough Primary School in Harrow by accredited MHFA England trainer Lisa Pascoulis. This was quickly oversubscribed, so a second one-day course was slotted in for further delegates including those involved with schools, youth groups and the Scouts and Girlguiding Movements.
One of the key aims of the Molly Rose Foundation is to provide education and training to promote wellbeing among young people. To do this we are funding a number of training courses, one of which is the one-day Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Courses are being run in conjunction with St John Ambulance using the MHFA England accredited syllabus. We are offering this course to appropriate representatives from a broad selection of youth and education workers and volunteers as well as teachers.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid Training course explores: what is mental health and mental ill health; stigma and discrimination; psychosis, depression and suicide. It also covers aspects of anxiety and includes self-harm and eating disorders. The course then discusses recovery and building resilience. Each session provides attendees with the information and skills to be able to listen and offer support with confidence.
By the end of the course you will become a Youth Mental Health First Aid Champion and will be better equipped to recognise the signs of mental ill health, to know what to do, and to feel confident to help.
“The training was absolutely fantastic and equipped me with the key knowledge and skills that I feel are fundamental in ensuring that the wellbeing of our pupils is at the heart of everything that we do.”
Krishna Patel, Assistant Headteacher
