Scotland’s mental health first aid: young people

NHS Health Scotland is developing a new mental health first aid course for adults supporting young people aged 11–17.

SMHFA: young people is part of a suite of Mental Health First Aid courses run in countries all over the world, including Australia, England and Wales. It builds on the huge success of SMHFA in Scotland, and uses similar intervention skills.

We are adapting the course for a Scottish audience, to include:

• a new DVD
• a blended approach of online or workbook learning materials
• workbooks and participant’s manual
• new content about self-harm, cyberbullying and eating disorders

The 'training for trainers' course will be available in early 2013. The first participant courses will run from Autumn 2013

Latest news

May 2013

The SMHFA: young people project is nearing completion. We held 2 pilot groups for the training for trainer course in March. Final tweaks are being made to the materials and they will be going to print in June.

The criteria for potential trainers is that they must have attended the 12 hour Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid course, work in the field of supporting young people and have some training experience. If you are interested in applying for the training for trainers 3-day training, then please email: nhs.healthscotland-smhfa@nhs.net

To date, the following aspects of SMHFA: young people are now complete:

• Part 1 Workbook and e-learning module 
• Part 3 e-learning module 
• learners manual
• DVD

October 2012

The SMHFA: young people project is going strong and we are really pleased with the progress to date.

• The VLE/workbook module Part 1 is complete.
• Part 2 face to face has been re-written and a first draft is being shared with the working group for comments.
• Part 3 VLE is close to completion - there has been a bit of a delay while we make it interactive.
• The learner's manual is in its last edit.
• The training for trainer course outline has been designed and writing of the course has started.
• All other supporting materials will be completed for early November.

 July 2012

Everyone who is involved in the design and development of the programme is really excited about the progress made so far.

• the blended learning elements include the Virtual Learning Environment and workbook for part one, which is now complete
• the first draft of part two, the face-to-face training session, is being edited
• part three is underway and should be complete by mid-late August
• the participant’s manual is in its second draft
• all other learners materials are on schedule for completion and printing late October/early November.

May 2012

The text for the participants' manual for SMHFA: young people is complete. It is now with the design team for first layouts to be developed.