Claire Kelly-- teen Mental Health First Aid
Teen Mental Health First Aid is a training program for High School students in Years 10-12. The rationale for the course is that when adolescents have a mental health problem, they are likely to talk to a friend.
The content of the course was developed from research on the key messages that experts recommend for this age group to help a friend developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis (e.g. the person is suicidal). A key message is that the adolescent should speak to an adult if they are concerned about a friend.
The course is 3.5 hours long and delivered over 3 sessions. The sessions cover information on mental health, how to support a friend in a crisis, and how to support a friend who is developing a mental health problem. Students who do the course receive a manual and certificate of completion.
A pilot evaluation of the teen MHFA course has been carried out in 4 schools. The evaluation showed that students gained greater confidence to help a peer and stigmatizing attitudes towards young people with mental health problems reduced.
Claire showed a video called ‘Mates’ which is used in Session 2 of the course. This video showed a male adolescent helping a friend he was concerned about. The friend was isolating himself and appeared irritable and depressed. The film illustrates the need to ask the person whether they are feeling suicidal and to involve an adult.