With the National Youth Week 2019 just around the corner, First Aid Pro has partnered with headspace Onkaparinga to deliver a FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid Course in Adelaide. Multiple courses will run from April 15th-18th and are open for young people aged 16-25. For more information, head over to our Facebook page or check headspace Onkaparinga for the latest announcements.
Mental Illnesses in youth often go undetected and are taken for granted as part of growing up and something that will soon pass. Others may call it ‘being a teenager’ but sometimes, it is more than that.
Struggling teens may not even realise that their mental health is at risk. According to psychiatrists, young people don’t possess enough knowledge to recognise their own mental health difficulties. This is where the surrounding adults play an important role in identifying the signs and symptoms of mental illness among the youth.
Dealing with Change
Half of all mental health conditions emerge during youth (12-24 years of age). It usually affects how young people think, feel, behave and can cause emotional, functional, and physical problems.
Feelings of hopelessness, negative thoughts, numbness, and difficulty concentrating are some of the common symptoms. Constantly experiencing the said symptoms will hinder their ability to perform to their full potential and may interfere in doing daily tasks.
What’s normal and What’s not
Being a teenager alone is a difficult phase, even more so if you are a teenager with a mental illness. It can be difficult to tell whether a teen has behavioural changes as a part of growing up or is already showing signs of a mental health disorder.
Mental disorders likely won’t get better on their own — and it may get worse or lead to other problems if untreated. If you know someone and you think they are struggling with something — talk to them. Encourage them to share their thoughts and concerns with their parents, teachers or a healthcare provider.
Never ignore the signs of a potential mental illness. Always take action to get help.
This is why First Aid Pro, with headspace Onkaparinga, launched this Free Youth Mental First Aid Training to discuss mental health concepts and how first aid can be used to support teens who are experiencing a crisis.
The Free Mental Health First Aid Course event is about creating connections to the youth in a non-judgmental way. Our goal is to provide emotional and practical support to teenagers who may have or may be developing a mental health issue.
We aim to help them build self-care strategies and raise their awareness of existing mental health conditions. Up until now, mental health has carried a lot of stigmas, and we hope that by having these kinds of events, we can slowly reduce the negative stereotypes surrounding it.
Have you got questions? Email us at courses@firstaidpro.com.au or call 1300 029 132, and one of our friendly staff will assist you.
