It’s estimated 75% children and young people who experience mental health problems aren’t getting the support they need (Children and young people, Mental Health Foundation). If you work with children and young people under 18, it’s crucial you have the knowledge and skills to help them.
This microcredential will support those working in health, social care, and education to develop essential skills to understand the mental health issues experienced by children and young people, and the interventions that can help to address them.
With a focus on children and young people’s developmental stages and social environments, you’ll develop your understanding of theory and practice which will enable you to identify and implement appropriate support strategies.
Explore childhood development and the influences on mental health
You’ll start by investigating neurological, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial development, expanding your awareness of how the brain develops throughout childhood and the role of people who are significant in a child’s growth, such as parents. You’ll also gain skills to support children and young people’s psychological wellbeing using proven therapeutic approaches.
Discover common mental health issues and effective mental health interventions
Over 12 weeks, you’ll build your understanding of the most common mental health issues experienced by children and young people including anxiety, depression, and challenging behaviour. You’ll also explore the mental health impact of special educational needs, bereavement and grief, eating disorders, gender identity and sexuality.
This microcredential will develop your ability to see the signs of mental health issues and identify risk factors. You’ll also explore effective mental health interventions, such as working therapeutically to build relationships and developing skills to actively listen, all to help you put children and young people at the centre of their support plans.
Expand your skills through highly relatable examples and psychological theories
Throughout the course, you’ll benefit from real-world examples from across health, education, and social care sectors.
You’ll have the opportunity to engage in personal reflection, and to put theory into practice, by immediately using the tools and techniques that you learn in your own context.
Learn from the experts in health and social care
This microcredential has been created by academic experts at The Open University who have a reputation for transforming lives through world-class health and social care education and research. For over 30 years, they have been delivering online learning in health and social care that is used in a range of professional contexts as well as non-professional backdrops such as parenting and family life.
Apply your growing mental health knowledge throughout the course
Each week, you’ll have the opportunity to consolidate your learning through reflective activities that will form part of your final assessment. In addition, you’ll write an assignment based on a real-world case study in which you’ll be able to demonstrate your new skills, including writing an argument for diagnosis and an intervention plan.
By the end, you’ll have the skills and confidence to support children and young people with their mental health. You’ll also explore how your own background influences your approach and develop a better understanding of your mental health to benefit both your personal life and career.
