• University of York

Supporting Children and Young People's Emotional Well-Being

Support the mental health of children and young people with skills that build emotional resilience and long-term well-being.

3,118 enrolled on this course

A silhouette of a tree against a colourful background by Siva

Supporting Children and Young People's Emotional Well-Being

3,118 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • Languages

    English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $349.99 for one yearLearn more

Strengthen children and young people's mental health with supportive strategies

Mental health challenges among children and young people are on the rise, and early support can make a lasting difference.

This self-paced course empowers both health and non-health professionals to play a vital role in recognising mental health concerns and responding effectively with practical, evidence-informed strategies.

Guided by the experts at the University of York, you’ll discover support that works and gain the knowledge and confidence to make a difference over three engaging weeks.

Explore how mental health develops in children and young people

You’ll learn how mental health develops through childhood and adolescence, how to recognise common challenges, and what influences positive and negative outcomes.

By identifying key risk and protective factors, you’ll gain the knowledge to better understand the emotional world of young people – and spot early signs when they may need support.

Recognise signs of distress and know how to respond

Then delve into the behaviours, emotions, and signals that may indicate a young person is experiencing difficulties.

You’ll learn how to open up safe, supportive conversations and adapt your approach based on age, developmental stage, and context.

Through practical strategies, this course will help you feel more confident in how you can listen and respond appropriately, as well as know when and how to seek additional support.

Incorporate supportive techniques into your mental health practice

Explore how early identification of need and implementation of non-mental health specialist support can promote resilience and improve wellbeing outcomes.

You’ll walk away with increased knowledge and confidence, evidence-based tips and strategies, and a range of useful resources for your further development.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 13 seconds We all have a part to play in supporting children and young people with their mental health and well-being. Whatever role you’re in, whether you’re a health care professional, a parent, guardian or teacher, there are things that you can do to support. Good mental health and wellbeing means that children and young people can make the most of opportunities and manage challenges in life. But not all children and young people experience good mental health or wellbeing, and understanding how difficulties can develop and present, and what you can do to support them is important. It can, however, be difficult to know what to say or do when you’re faced with a child or young person who may be experiencing emotional difficulties.

Skip to 0 minutes and 55 seconds In this course, we will help you develop your knowledge and confidence in conversing with children and young people about their mental health and wellbeing. We will also provide you with some additional resources and tools to further your own learning and strengthen your skills and competencies. So join us as together we all look to support the mental health and wellbeing of all our children and young people.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    An introduction to mental health in children and young people

    • Welcome

      An introduction to the course objectives and a chance to think about how you will learn. There is also an opportunity to introduce yourself and meet fellow learners for the first time.

    • Definitions

      How do we define mental health for children and young people?

    • Impact and influences

      How can we have an impact on the mental health of children and young people?

    • Powerful emotions and behaviours

      Exploring emotions and some unhelpful ways of coping

    • Closing thoughts and quiz

      A chance to check your learning so far, and explore some additional resources that are available

  • Week 2

    Recognising need and offering support

    • Recognising issues of mental health and wellbeing in children and young people

      Identify ways to provide safe spaces

    • Offering support

      Exploring the different ages and stages of development which may be impacted my mental health issues

    • Listening and professional boundaries

      What does active listening sound like? And how can we promote positive engagement?

    • Improving relationships

      Reflecting on your own practice

    • Understanding the impact of powerful emotions

      Focusing on two examples of unhelpful coping

    • Closing thoughts and quiz

      A chance to check your learning so far, and explore some additional resources that are available

  • Week 3

    Anxiety, depression and low mood

    • Welcome back

      Welcome to the final week

    • Anxiety

      Exploring anxiety in children and young people

    • Low mood and depression

      Identifying a child or young person with depression or low mood

    • Reflection on your own practice in the workplace

      Understanding your role within children and young people's mental health and wellbeing

    • Closing thoughts

      A chance to check your learning and review the course as a whole

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore and define how children’s mental health and wellbeing develops.
  • Identify some of the challenges facing children and young people in society today, and the factors that impact their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Explore how you can help identify children and young people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing.
  • Develop awareness and skills in developing ways to better support children and young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Improve your confidence in finding and using appropriate resources.

Who is the course for?

This course is for health and social care professionals, parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people.

Who will you learn with?

I am a mental health nursing academic at the University of York

Sue is a Registered Nurse and a Reader in Advanced Practice at the University of York.

Dr Melanie Forster is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of York and a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. She has worked for many years in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Who developed the course?

University of York

The University of York combines the pursuit of academic excellence with a culture of inclusion, which encourages everyone – from a variety of backgrounds – to achieve their best.

Endorsers and supporters

funded by

Royal College of Nursing logo
Unlock nowUpgrade and unlock this entire course now

Ways to learn

Subscribe & save

Buy this course

Start learning today

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

$54/one-off payment

Free

Develop skills to further your careerFulfill your current learning needTry this course - with limits
Access to this courseticktick

Limited to 3 weeks

Access to 1,000+ coursestickcrosscross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligibleDigital onlyPrinted and digitalcross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Upgrade and unlock this entire course now

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Subscribe & save

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 3 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...