Youth Mental Health and Suicide Awareness course

Latest figures show that 1 in 5 children and young people in England aged 8 to 25 had a probable mental health disorder in 2023 and according to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021, 212 individuals aged 10 to 19 and 372 aged 20 to 24 took their own life.

We want to help those supporting young people understand what can affect a young person’s mental health, how to support them and how to reduce the risk of someone taking their own life. This course will give adults who work and care for young people, the skills and knowledge they need to start a conversation with someone who they believe is at risk. It will also provide information about other services in Kent and Medway which may be of help.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for anyone who supports, encounters or cares for a young person including health care workers, school staff, family and youth group leaders. If you work with or support adults, then our Adult Suicide Prevention Training would be more suitable.

What will the course cover?

During the session, you will learn more about the factors which might affect a young person’s mental health including stress and how to help them manage this. We will explore which groups are statistically at greater risk of taking their own life and the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences, self-harm and suicide.

Through group activities and discussions, you will also learn how to identify the warning signs that a young person might be struggling and what might cause them to experience thoughts of taking their own life.

We will cover the different levels of suicidal ideation and the tools that can be used to help assess the level of risk and what support is needed. This will include how to create a safety plan with a young person and where to get additional support from locally and nationally.

How long does it last?

The course lasts 2.5 hours and includes videos, activities and group discussions.

How much does it cost?

This course is free for anyone who lives or works in Kent and Medway.

How is the course delivered?

The session is delivered online using Zoom. If you would prefer a dedicated, face-to-face delivery for your team, this can be arranged. Please contact us for details.

When are the next training courses?

Training course dates are listed in our booking form below.

How do I register?

Please complete the form below and a member of our team will get back to you.