Youth Yarns
Strengthen Culture. Empower community. Support youth wellbeing.
Equip young people to support each other.
INTERVENE EARLY
Recognise the signs of mental health problems and the importance of early support.
OFFER SUPPORT
RESPOND IN A CRISIS
Respond confidently across mental health crisis situations.
REDUCE STIGMA
Reduce stigma and increase support for a friend or classmate who may have a mental health problem.
Youth Yarns is a culturally informed, strengths-based mental health education program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 12–17.
The course supports young people to recognise when a friend or classmate may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, and build confidence to respond safely, supportively and early.
Developed and reviewed in consultation with First Nations people, Youth Yarns centers culture, country and community as protective factors in social and emotional wellbeing. The course reflects both urban and remote lived experiences and includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, perspectives, artwork and resources throughout the learning experience.
Course information
Delivery format
Duration
Choose from the below formats
3 sessions – 2 hours each
2 sessions – 1x 2 hours, 1x 4 hours
Full day – 6 hours
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How was Youth Yarns developed?
The course was led by the Mental Health First Aid Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs team and developed in partnership with Aboriginal curriculum specialists through extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, Elders, lived experience experts, Instructors and communities. It was piloted across metropolitan, rural and remote settings, with participant and Instructor feedback informing the refinement of the curriculum, activities and supporting resources to ensure the program is culturally responsive, practical and evidence-informed.
Grounded in culture and guided by evidence, Youth Yarns equips participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, while strengthening connection, capability and community.
Why MHFA?
Rigorously evaluated: Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and confidence in providing mental health first aid to individuals.
Skills-based: Teaches the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a difference.
Internationally recognised: Over 9 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across more than 50 countries.
Culturally appropriate & effective: Research has found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid courses to be culturally appropriate and effective.
Learning outcomes
- Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems commonly experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
- Understand the role of culture, Country and community in strengthening social and emotional wellbeing
- Know when and how to seek the support of a trusted adult
- Use the Youth Yarns Action Plan to initiate a supportive mental health conversation
- Recognise and respond to a range of mental health crisis situations and provide initial support
- Understand the importance of early intervention, connection and help seeking
- Identify barriers to seeking support and explore ways to overcome them
- Develop confidence to support friends safely while maintaining personal boundaries and wellbeing
Eligibility
The course may be delivered to entire year levels, specific cohorts or community groups, depending on local needs and context.
Youth Yarns can only be delivered where the adults supporting young people, such as school staff, volunteers and community leaders, have appropriate education and training to safely support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Completion of Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid training is highly recommended.
Course content
The course also explores the role of Culture, Country and Community in strengthening wellbeing and connection across four modules:
- Strong foundations: Culture, identity and social and emotional wellbeing
- Understanding mental health: Recognising mental health problems and the importance of early support
- Supporting your friends: Using the Youth Yarns Action Plan to provide support
- Looking after yourself: Personal boundaries, self-care and wellbeing.
Learning is supported through culturally informed activities, lived experience stories, and videos reflecting both urban and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences and perspectives.
Duration and format
The course can be delivered in the following formats:
- Three session delivery across three 2-hour sessions. This is the preferred approach.
- Two session delivery with session 1 being 2 hours and session 2 being 4 hours.
- One-day delivery delivered as one full 6-hour session. This option should only be used where split-session delivery is not practical.
