Youth Yarns Instructor Training
Strengthen Culture. Empower community. Build youth capability.
An intensive training course that equips adults with the knowledge and skills, to equip young people to support each other.
MAKE A Lasting DIFFERENCE
Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to build confidence, strengthen wellbeing and recognise when a friend may need help.
Strengthen Communities
Deliver culturally responsive mental health education that builds confidence, strengthens social and emotional wellbeing, and supports young people to look after one another.
GROW PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITY
Develop specialised facilitation skills, practical teaching strategies and the confidence to deliver Youth Yarns safely and effectively.
JOIN A RESPECTED NETWORK
Become part of a national community of Licensed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Instructors working together to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing across Australia.
The Youth Yarns Instructor Training Course prepares eligible Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Instructors to become Licensed Youth Yarns Instructors, equipping them to deliver culturally responsive mental health education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 12–17.
Grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of social and emotional wellbeing, the course has been developed through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, in partnership with Aboriginal curriculum specialists and informed by extensive consultation with young people, Elders, lived experience experts, communities and Instructors.
Participants develop the knowledge, facilitation skills and practical strategies to confidently deliver Youth Yarns across schools, community organisations and other youth settings. Through practical learning, they build confidence in facilitating discussions, leading activities and guiding young people through the Youth Yarns Action Plan in a culturally responsive, safe and supportive learning environment.
On successful completion, participants become Licensed Youth Yarns Instructors and are equipped with a comprehensive suite of teaching resources, ongoing support and the confidence to deliver high-quality Youth Yarns courses that strengthen social and emotional wellbeing, encourage early support and build community capability.
Course information
Delivery format
Face-to-Face
Duration
4 days
Prerequisite
Current Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Instructor license
Take the next step
Express your interest in becoming a Youth Yarns Instructor
Course Overview
The Youth Yarns Instructor Training Course prepares eligible Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Instructors to become Licensed Youth Yarns Instructors. Participants build the knowledge, facilitation skills and confidence to deliver culturally responsive Youth Yarns courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 12–17, supported by a comprehensive suite of teaching resources and ongoing support.
The course includes assessment activities designed to support facilitation capability and safe, effective program delivery.
Duration & Format
The course is delivered face-to-face over 4 days by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Instructor Trainer.
There are two training delivery options available:
- Public Instructor Training Courses: Available for individuals and groups smaller than 10
- Private Instructor Training Courses: Available for groups larger than 10
Eligibility
Licensed Instructors are not required to be mental health professionals, nor to have qualifications in mental health.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following selection criteria:
- Identify as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- Be a current Licensed Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Instructor
- Knowledge of mental health problems in young people, their treatments and support services
- Personal or professional experience supporting young people with mental health problems
- Respectful attitudes towards young people with mental health problems
- Enthusiasm to deliver MHFA courses
- Proven excellent group facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills with young people
- Individual acknowledgement of license maintenance requirements or organisational support to deliver MHFA courses.
- Hold a valid Working with Children Check from their state/territory of residence.
Application Process
Applications for both public and private courses must complete an online application at least 4 weeks prior to the commencement of the training and demonstrate how they meet the selection criteria, including specific examples where required.
Applications will be reviewed against our stated eligibility criteria.
Once provisionally approved, applicants will need to submit a Working with Children Check and complete payment.
Note: We reserve the right to not accept any individual application at our sole discretion. An accepted application for one license type does not guarantee acceptance or suitability for other license types.
