This Youth Mental Health Awareness Course is designed for adults who work with, support or care for children and young people. It provides practical awareness of mental health and wellbeing, common difficulties and signs that may indicate a young person is experiencing distress. It is suitable for people working across education, youth, community, care and related settings in England.
This free course explores anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating difficulties, alongside changes in behaviour, relationships and everyday functioning. Learners will also develop their understanding of supportive conversations, professional boundaries, confidentiality, safeguarding, signposting, referral routes and the action required when a young person may need urgent or emergency help.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Adults who spend time with young people can be well placed to notice changes and provide an important source of early support. This course helps learners respond calmly and appropriately without making assumptions, attempting to diagnose a condition or working beyond the limits of their role.
This course will help you to:
- Build confidence when discussing mental health and emotional wellbeing with young people.
- Recognise changes that may indicate distress or a need for further support.
- Understand common presentations of anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating difficulties.
- Consider patterns, persistence, impact and context rather than relying on isolated signs.
- Start sensitive conversations in an appropriate and supportive way.
- Listen without judgement while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
- Use respectful, non-stigmatising language when discussing mental health difficulties.
- Identify suitable local, NHS and community routes for further support.
- Follow appropriate recording, information-sharing and safeguarding procedures.
- Recognise situations where urgent or emergency action may be required.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define mental health, mental wellbeing and mental health difficulties.
- Describe what current national data indicates about young people’s mental health.
- Explain the purpose and limitations of an awareness-level support role.
- Describe common features associated with anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating difficulties.
- Identify emotional, behavioural, physical and day-to-day changes that may indicate distress.
- Explain why patterns, persistence, impact and individual context should be considered together.
- Demonstrate appropriate approaches to starting and managing supportive conversations.
- Explain confidentiality boundaries and appropriate information sharing.
- Identify early help, NHS, community, safeguarding and referral routes.
- Distinguish between routine support needs and situations requiring urgent or emergency action.
Youth Mental Health Awareness Course Outline
The course is organised into six modules, progressing from an introduction to youth mental health through recognition, communication and practical support to referral, safeguarding and urgent action.
Module 1: Understanding Youth Mental Health
Learners will explore the meaning of mental health, mental wellbeing and mental health difficulties, including the importance of distinguishing ordinary emotional changes from concerns that are persistent or disruptive. The module considers current national information about the prevalence of mental health difficulties among children and young people and introduces common routes into children’s and young people’s mental health services. Learners will also examine the role of a trusted adult in noticing concerns, listening, supporting and signposting while avoiding diagnosis, therapy or clinical assessment unless appropriately qualified.
Module 2: Common Mental Health Difficulties
Learners will develop awareness of how anxiety and depression may affect a young person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviour, sleep, appetite, concentration and everyday participation. The module explains self-harm using non-stigmatising language and emphasises listening, avoiding assumptions, considering safety and connecting the young person with suitable support. It also examines eating difficulties and eating disorders, including changes around food, distress at mealtimes, body image, physical wellbeing and the importance of seeking appropriate professional advice without judging risk from appearance or body weight alone.
Module 3: Recognising Signs of Distress
Learners will consider emotional, behavioural and communication changes that may suggest a young person is struggling, including increased worry, withdrawal, irritability, secrecy and negative thoughts. The module also covers changes in education, activities, friendships, participation, sleep, eating and energy. Learners will examine why individual context matters and how patterns, persistence and the effect on everyday life can provide a more useful picture than any single sign. The young person’s own account is emphasised throughout as an important part of understanding what may be happening.
Module 4: Having Supportive Conversations
Learners will explore how to choose an appropriate time and setting for a conversation and how to introduce concerns using factual observations rather than assumptions. The module develops practical listening skills, including staying calm, allowing time, avoiding unnecessary interruption and acknowledging the young person’s experience without rushing to provide solutions. Learners will also consider helpful and unhelpful language, confidentiality boundaries and the need to explain clearly when information may have to be shared because of safety or safeguarding concerns.
Module 5: Providing Support and Signposting
Learners will examine supportive actions that remain within an awareness-level role, including listening, acknowledging concerns and helping a young person identify appropriate next steps. The module covers common support routes such as schools, general practice, early help services, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services, community organisations and other local provision. Learners will also consider appropriate follow-up, factual recording, sharing concerns through agreed professional routes and escalating safeguarding issues in accordance with organisational procedures.
Module 6: Urgent Action, Safeguarding and Trusted Resources
Learners will develop their understanding of situations requiring urgent or emergency action, including the distinction between an immediate danger requiring emergency assistance and an urgent mental health need requiring prompt professional support. The module explains safeguarding, referral and escalation responsibilities within England and reinforces the importance of following the procedures that apply within each setting. Learners will also become familiar with common sources of support, including NHS services and established organisations supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing, while recognising that current local pathways should always be checked.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Youth workers and youth support staff.
- School, college and education staff who work with children or young people.
- Health, social care and support workers who have contact with young people.
- Sports coaches, activity leaders and adults working in community settings.
- Parents, carers and other trusted adults who want to improve their awareness.
- Volunteers and staff in organisations providing services or activities for young people.
No previous specialist knowledge is required.
FAQ
Who is this course suitable for?
The course is suitable for adults who work with, support or care for children and young people, including education staff, youth workers, care and support workers, sports coaches, community staff, volunteers, parents and carers.
Do I need any previous experience?
No specialist mental health knowledge or clinical experience is required. The course is designed at awareness level and focuses on recognising concerns, communicating supportively and knowing when and where to seek further help.
What will I learn on this youth mental health awareness course?
You will learn about mental health and wellbeing, common difficulties including anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating difficulties, signs of distress, supportive conversations, signposting, safeguarding and appropriate responses to urgent concerns.
Will this course help with day-to-day practice?
Yes. The course focuses on situations that trusted adults may encounter in schools, youth services, community activities, care environments and other settings. It helps learners consider how to notice changes, approach conversations and take proportionate next steps while remaining within their role.
Does the course cover practical communication skills?
Yes. It explains how to introduce concerns using observations, ask appropriate questions, listen calmly, allow a young person time to respond and use language that avoids judgement or stigma. It also covers confidentiality boundaries and how to explain when information may need to be shared.
Does the course cover safeguarding and professional responsibilities?
Yes. Learners consider safeguarding concerns, appropriate recording and information sharing, referral and escalation routes, and the importance of following the procedures that apply within their own organisation or setting. The course also distinguishes awareness and support from diagnosis or clinical treatment.
What should I do if a young person needs urgent mental health support?
The course explains how the response should reflect the level of risk. Learners consider when an immediate emergency may require emergency services, when urgent NHS mental health support may be appropriate and why organisational safeguarding and escalation procedures must also be followed.
Does the course explain where young people can get further support?
Yes. It introduces common routes including schools, GPs, early help services, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services, community provision and established national support organisations. Learners are reminded to check current arrangements in their local area.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and usually takes around 1 hour to complete.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.
This Youth Mental Health Awareness Course provides a practical foundation for adults who want to recognise possible concerns and respond to young people with greater confidence, sensitivity and appropriate boundaries. It supports a calm, respectful approach to listening and early support while reinforcing the importance of safeguarding procedures and timely access to professional help.
Enrol now to build your understanding of youth mental health awareness.
