Dependency It’s important to remember that MHFA England does not teach people to be therapists or counsellors, how to diagnose mental health conditions, nor encourage Youth MHFAiders to provide ongoing support. The Youth MHFAider role is a first response role. Waiting lists for youth mental health services can be long and so it isn’t appropriate for the Youth MHFAider to hold the relationship with the young person on a frequent long-term basis, whilst they wait for professional help. Additionally, some young people aren’t able to access professional help by themselves, for example if they are a pre-adolescent. If appropriate, the Youth MHFAider should contact a trusted adult. This might be a parent/carer in a community setting or a professional contact in an education or workplace setting. However, after you have signposted to a professional, it might feel appropriate to follow up with the young person to see how they are doing and whether they are feeling hopeful. Just like with physical first aid, it can feel important to check in on the person you have supported to show compassion. It also lets them know that you are available and can be trusted to listen again in the future. To reduce the risk of both emotional and practical dependency, the Youth MHFAider should communicate where the role begins and ends and try to empower the young person to make decisions about their wellbeing. In instances where the young person shows signs of being dependent on your support, communicate the boundaries of the role again, and help them to access appropriate help with a trusted adult. Confidentiality When discussing support you’ve given to a young person with other people (such as other Youth MHFAiders or education professionals), it is vital to respect the young person’s right to privacy. Identifiable details such as name, age, gender, and
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