Youth Mental Health Courses

A silent epidemic

In a changing world, young people are coming under increasing pressures.

Social media can erode confidence, and encourage online bullying. Financial strains on health systems can leave children caring for adult family members. And anxiety about the climate and the future jobs market has been shown to affect people at younger and younger ages.

The facts speak for themselves – youth mental health statistics show the proportion of under-16s experiencing mental health issues has risen from 11.4% in 1999 to 13.6% in 2017. It’s estimated that three children in every classroom suffer from some form of mental health problem.

Increased awareness

Awareness of the scope of mental health problems in young people has improved greatly in recent years, but there is still progress to be made.

Learning online can be a great way to grapple with an issue as complex and sensitive as youth mental health. FutureLearn have partnered with thought-leaders in the field – with practical experience of dealing with mental wellbeing – to provide free online courses designed to let you explore the topic at your own pace.

Institutions like the University of Cambridge and the University of Strathclyde offer courses that let you learn the latest research in the field. You’ll learn from top experts, alongside a worldwide community of learners, using videos, articles, quizzes and social discussions to further your knowledge.

Career-focussed training

These courses could be ideal if you’re looking to start a career in the child care field, want to transition your job into the sector, or want to know how to become a youth mental health worker.

We want to upskill you to be able to kickstart your career with the latest training, learning in a way that fits around your current schedule.

You’ll learn how to identify mental health problems, and learn what good mental health looks like. You’ll also explore how to help children who are suffering in the classroom.

These courses could also be valuable if you are a young person who is dealing with mental health issues, or a concerned friend or family member who wants to delve into the facts of youth mental health.

Understand mental wellbeing

Youth mental health is a thorny and difficult topic, but it needn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed.

With a little training, you can feel confident in knowing what causes mental health conditions, and how we can best treat young people who suffer from them. Explore the courses on offer, and start learning today.