Young Mental Health Champions

Learn, have a voice, make a difference

In this exciting project, participants work in a team to:

  • Learn – YMHCs complete a Level 2 qualification accredited by the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) and equivalent to a GCSE grades 4–9. Watch this RSPH video to find out how their Young Health Champions make a difference.
  • Have a voice – YMHCs have a say in how new local NHS mental health services are designed and mystery shop existing services.
  • Make a difference – YMHCs design and deliver positive messages about mental health and wellbeing to their peers and let them know about the local services available.

Click below to discover more about our three Young Mental Health Champion teams — find the one that’s right for you.

We have two teams based in Buckinghamshire and a third in Bracknell Forest:

  • Community Team: For anyone aged 13–17 who lives or goes to school/college in Buckinghamshire.
  • Home Educated Team: For 13–17-year-olds who are home educated, including those with EOTAS or who are flexi-schooled.
  • Bracknell Forest Team: A new team for Year 12 students in Bracknell Forest. This team works in partnership with secondary schools — young people are nominated or apply through their school.

 

FAQs

What will I be doing?

You’ll explore topics like health, emotional wellbeing and lifestyle choices. You’ll also take part in mystery shopping local services, plan peer messages and work on creative projects to support other young people.

What is the RSPH qualification?

The RSPH Level 2 Award for Young Health Champions is equivalent to a GCSE at grade 4–9.
This qualification gives participants the tools to help their peers with their mental health. YMHCs learn about emotional wellbeing, what causes people to have healthy or unhealthy behaviours, and how to deliver positive health messages. They also find out about local health services so they can tell other young people about them.
The course includes the following units:

  • YHC 1 Health Improvement
  • YHC 2 Research Health Improvement Services
  • YHC 3 Deliver a Health Improvement Message
  • YHC 10 Understanding Emotional Wellbeing

Young Mental Health Champions - Resources

Team member