More than 100 Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England instructors have now been trained as part of the first stage of the Thrive LDN Youth MHFA in London Schools programme, in partnership with MHFA England. This has more than doubled the number of Youth MHFA instructors in London.
Launched in August 2018, the ground-breaking programme is on course to ensure every state-funded primary, secondary school and further education college in London has access to Youth Mental Health First Aid by 2021.
Thrive LDN has published a new video featuring some of the newly qualified MHFA England instructors giving their thoughts on the training. The instructors will now deliver Youth MHFA England Two Day courses to around 2,000 school staff.
The programme is supported by funding from the Mayor of London through the Young Londoners Fund. The Mayor tweeted his support in celebration of the milestone reached through the Thrive LDN initiative:
Fantastic to see the @MHFAEngland and @ThriveLDN schools programme go from strength to strength. 100 new instructors will help support City Hall’s commitment to improving access to Mental Health First Aid for young Londoners, as set out in my Health Inequalities Strategy. #OKLDN https://t.co/h6QLYu5Cen
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 27, 2019
Caroline Hounsell, Director of Communities and Content Development, MHFA England, commented:
“It’s very encouraging to see how quickly the Youth MHFA in London Schools programme has progressed, and how pleased the delegates were with the training they received. Over 100 new instructors will help support the Mayor of London’s commitment to improving access to Mental Health First Aid informed approaches for young Londoners, as set out in the Mayor’s Health Inequalities Strategy. We look forward to seeing improved awareness and mental health literacy as a result of Youth MHFA England training being delivered into every school in London.”
Staff trained in Youth MHFA can offer first aid support through non-judgemental listening and guidance, acting as a point of contact for a young person who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. The Youth MHFA in London Schools programme will help ensure young people get the support they need when experiencing mental health issues as early as possible.
You can find more information on the Youth MHFA in London schools programme via the MHFA England website.