Youth Mental Health First Aid & Educator Training

With one in five children aged 8-16 now having a probable mental health disorder [1], the need for robust, evidence-based support in schools has never been more critical. Fifty percent of all mental health conditions are established by age 14 [2], placing educators on the front line of a growing crisis. TeachPlus equips your staff with the expert-led training required to move from awareness to action, empowering them to identify, support, and respond to youth mental health challenges effectively.

Our specialist Youth Mental Health Training programme, developed and delivered by experienced Clinical Psychologists, provides the practical skills and confidence needed to create a mentally healthy school where every child and staff member can flourish.

Expert-Led, Evidence-Based Training

Our courses are designed and delivered by practicing Clinical Psychologists, ensuring your staff receive training that is not only grounded in the latest academic research but is also immediately applicable in a real-world school environment. Research confirms that school-based mental health interventions led by properly trained educators significantly improve student outcomes [3]. We translate complex clinical knowledge into actionable, classroom-ready strategies.

Comprehensive Training for Whole-School Support

TeachPlus offers a portfolio of courses designed to build a tiered system of mental health support within your school. Our training modules are structured to build foundational knowledge and develop specialist skills for targeted intervention.

Course Category Key Learning Areas
Foundational Mental Health Literacy - Child and adolescent mental health development
- Creating mentally healthy classrooms
- Early identification of emerging concerns
Targeted Intervention Strategies - Anxiety and mood disorder management
- Attachment-informed and trauma-responsive practices
- Practical strategies for classroom support
Crisis Response & Advanced Support - Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification
- De-escalation for acute distress
- Managing self-harm and suicidal ideation
DfE ‘Use of Reasonable Force’ Guidance Provides practical advice for headteachers, staff, and governing bodies. [1]

This structured approach ensures staff at all levels can contribute to a whole-school culture of wellbeing.

From Theory to Practice

We believe that confidence comes from doing. Our training methodology prioritises hands-on, practical skills development to ensure learning is embedded and immediately useful.

Our training incorporates case-based scenarios, interactive role-playing, guided reflection, and collaborative problem-solving. This methodology is proven to significantly increase educator confidence and competence in managing student mental health concerns [4].

The TeachPlus Advantage: Tailored for Impact

Investing in mental health training is an investment in your students' future achievement and your staff's wellbeing. TeachPlus delivers a programme that is tailored to your unique context, ensuring maximum relevance and impact.

  • Expert-Led Content: Direct access to training designed and delivered by Clinical Psychologists.

  • Customised Delivery: We adapt our content for different age groups (early years, primary, secondary) and specific school demographics.

  • Flexible Formats: Training is available through on-site, virtual, or blended learning models to suit your school’s needs.

  • Sustainable Support: We provide comprehensive resource packages, follow-up consultation, and impact measurement tools to ensure long-term success.

By partnering with TeachPlus, you are not just buying a course; you are investing in a comprehensive, whole-school approach to mental wellbeing

Contact TeachPlus today to build a tailored mental health training programme for your school and empower your staff to make a real difference.

FAQ - Youth Mental Health First Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised, evidence-based training course that teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health in young people. It provides the skills and confidence to provide first-level support and guide a young person towards the appropriate professional help. Our training includes the option for official MHFA certification.
This training is designed for anyone who works with children and young people, including teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, pastoral staff, and school leadership. We can tailor the content to be appropriate for staff across early years, primary, secondary, and specialist educational settings.
All our Youth Mental Health training courses are developed and delivered by experienced, practicing Clinical Psychologists. This ensures your staff receive the highest quality, evidence-based training that is both academically robust and practically applicable in a school environment.
Yes, our core programme includes the option for official Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England certification, which is a nationally recognised and accredited qualification. All our content is aligned with the latest guidance from the Department for Education and NHS.
Absolutely. We pride ourselves on delivering a tailored approach. We will work with you to understand your school's specific demographics, existing wellbeing initiatives, and any particular challenges you face. The content, case studies, and strategies can then be customised to ensure maximum relevance and impact for your staff and students.
While basic awareness courses are helpful, our training goes much further. By being led by Clinical Psychologists, we move beyond simple awareness to build genuine competence. We focus on practical skills development, crisis response, and implementing tiered systems of support. The goal is to empower your staff to act confidently and effectively, not just to be aware of the issues.
We offer flexible delivery options to minimise disruption and suit your school's schedule. This includes full-day on-site training, a series of twilight sessions, virtual classrooms, and blended learning models that combine online modules with live, interactive workshops.

References

[1] NHS England. (2023). Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023. NHS Digital.

[2] Mental Health Foundation. (2023). Children and young people: statistics. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/children-young-people-statistics

[3] Mackenzie, K., et al. (2018). Universal, school-based interventions to promote mental and emotional well-being: what is being done in the UK and does it work? BMJ Open, 8(9), e022560.

[4] Wright, B., et al. (2020). A large population-based study of the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in the North of England. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 25(4), 877-890.