'Talk to me': Improving mental health and suicide prevention in young adults from edX

Poor mental health affects one in four people, and young adults are particularly susceptible. Do you feel confident approaching the topic of mental health with people you care about, or are concerned about?

'Talk to Me': Improving mental health and suicide prevention in young adults , is a German-Australian collaboration developed in response to the growing need to provide young people and those around them with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to recognise, identify, and respond to mental health challenges in themselves and others.

Key topics in this MOOC include understanding contributing factors to poor mental health, how to talk about addressing poor mental health, and strategies to increase mental fitness.

Please note: This course contains content that crosses over with TTM2x: Managing Study, Stress, and Mental Health at University (Modules 1 and 2). However, this MOOC contains an extra four modules of content which are aimed at parents, teachers, health professionals, GPs, social workers, counsellors, coaches, and other 'gatekeepers' - people in positions of responsibility with regular contact with young people.

We are grateful to the following organisations for their contribution to and continued support of this MOOC:

Healthway Western Australia
The Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators
Curtin University Teaching Excellence Fund
Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme - Universities Australia

What's inside

Learning objectives

What mental health is, and the impact of stress on mental health
Identify and explain contributing factors to suicide and poor mental health
Strategies to increase mental fitness

Understand why self-harm may be used as a coping strategy
Recognise risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality
Understand the types of questions you can ask a person who may be at risk of suicide

What mental health is, and the impact of stress on mental health
Identify and explain contributing factors to suicide and poor mental health
Strategies to increase mental fitness
Understand why self-harm may be used as a coping strategy
Recognise risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality
Understand the types of questions you can ask a person who may be at risk of suicide

Syllabus

Module 1: Mental fitness

Explain what mental health is

Identify and explain contributing factors to suicide and poor mental health

Understand the impact of stress of mental health

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Best suited for non-specialists who seek to understand mental health in young people

Those who are engaged with young adults in any capacity may benefit from this course

Delivered by a team of experts and practitioners in the field of mental health and youth

This course is not suitable for mental health specialists

Those who seek the course for personal mental health support may be better supported by other resources and community mental health services

Reviews summary

Essential guide to youth mental health and prevention

According to students, this course is an essential and highly impactful resource for understanding and addressing mental health challenges in young adults. Learners consistently praise its clear and compassionate delivery of sensitive topics like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior in young adults (SBYA). Many highlight the practical strategies and actionable steps provided, which significantly increase their confidence in approaching difficult conversations. The course is considered invaluable for a wide audience, from those seeking personal understanding to "gatekeepers" such as parents, teachers, and health professionals, who particularly benefit from the dedicated modules. While some advanced professionals found certain sections foundational, the course is broadly celebrated for its comprehensive yet accessible approach and its emphasis on mental fitness and prevention.

Bite-sized modules make it easy to fit into busy schedules.

"The bite-sized modules made it incredibly easy to fit this course into my busy schedule."

"I found the overall structure made the challenging topic manageable and not overwhelming."

"It was easy to navigate and allowed me to absorb the crucial information at my own pace."

Emphasizes proactive mental fitness and suicide prevention.

"I really appreciate the focus on proactive strategies to increase mental fitness."

"The course's emphasis on prevention, rather than just crisis response, is truly crucial."

"It helped me understand not just how to react in a crisis, but how to build resilience proactively."

Highly relevant and beneficial for those in caregiving roles.

"As a teacher, the gatekeeper modules were particularly insightful and relevant to my role."

"I found this course invaluable for myself as a parent and for others in similar caregiving positions."

"The additional four modules for gatekeepers provided crucial information for my professional practice."

Content is delivered with exceptional clarity and sensitivity.

"The content is presented with such clarity and compassion, even on difficult topics."

"I found the sensitive topics, like NSSI, were handled with great care and respect."

"The scenarios and examples provided made the sensitive topics much easier to grasp."

Equips learners with practical skills to address mental health concerns.

"I feel much more confident in approaching difficult conversations after taking this."

"I feel better equipped to support my friends and family with mental health concerns."

"This course gave me practical tools and strategies I could immediately apply."

Provides a strong foundation, but some desire more advanced depth.

"As a mental health professional, I found some parts felt a bit basic, though still a good refresher."

"I felt some sections lacked the deeper dive I expected if I were looking for advanced clinical skills."

"This course is a good starting point for general awareness, but not for those seeking advanced intervention techniques."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 'Talk to me': Improving mental health and suicide prevention in young adults with these activities:

Review materials from previous courses

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Refreshing your prior knowledge of mental health can help make the new content more comprehensible.

Browse courses on Mental Health

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Review your notes from previous psychology courses.
Read through your old textbooks.
Take practice quizzes on mental health topics.

Complete Self-Assessment Checklists

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Use self-assessment tools to gauge your mental wellbeing and identify areas where you can improve your mental fitness.

Browse courses on Mental Fitness

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Seek out and access online or printable self-assessment checklists.
Answer the questions honestly, reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Review your results and identify areas where you score lower.
Research strategies and resources to address these areas and improve your mental fitness.

Practice ABC Model

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Reinforce your understanding of the ABC model by completing practice exercises, allowing you to apply it effectively in real-life situations.

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Identify activating events that trigger negative thoughts.
Write down your beliefs and feelings associated with these events.
Challenge your beliefs and consider alternative perspectives.
Develop new, more positive responses to activating events.

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Create a Support Network

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Build a network of people who care about you and can provide support, encouragement, and guidance on your mental health journey.

Browse courses on Social Support

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Identify individuals who you trust and feel comfortable talking to about your mental health.
Reach out and connect with them, sharing your experiences and seeking support.
Attend support groups or online forums where you can interact with others who understand your challenges.
Foster positive and supportive relationships with family, friends, colleagues, or mentors.

Attend a Mental Health First Aid Workshop

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Acquire essential skills for recognizing and responding to mental health crises, enabling you to effectively support individuals in need.

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Enroll in a certified Mental Health First Aid workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the training.
Practice the skills and knowledge you gain during the workshop.
Share your learnings with others to spread awareness about mental health.

Write a Journal to Track Progress

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Regularly document your thoughts and feelings in a journal to monitor your progress, identify patterns, and reflect on your mental health journey.

Browse courses on Self-Reflection

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Choose a format that works for you, such as a physical journal or an app.
Establish a routine for writing, such as daily or weekly entries.
Reflect on your experiences, emotions, and challenges.
Use the journal as a tool for self-discovery, self-care, and growth.

Volunteer at a Mental Health Organization

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Gain practical experience and contribute to your community by volunteering at a mental health organization, which can deepen your understanding of mental health issues and the support available.

Browse courses on Volunteering

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Research and identify mental health organizations that align with your interests.
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend training or orientation provided by the organization.
Regularly volunteer your time and actively participate in activities.

Read 'The Feeling Good Handbook' by David D. Burns

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Gain valuable insights and practical strategies from this renowned book on cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can enhance your understanding of mental health and improve your coping mechanisms.

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
Practice the exercises and techniques outlined in the book to challenge negative thoughts and improve your mental health.
Attend a support group or workshop based on the book to connect with others and share your experiences.

Connect with a Mental Health Professional

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Seek guidance and support from a mental health professional who can provide personalized advice, strategies, and emotional support throughout your mental health journey.

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Research and identify mental health professionals in your area.
Reach out to potential mentors and inquire about their availability.
Meet with them regularly to discuss your mental health goals and progress.
Follow their recommendations and strategies to improve your mental wellbeing.

Career center

Learners who complete 'Talk to me': Improving mental health and suicide prevention in young adults will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Youth Counselor

Youth Counselors may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective strategies for supporting their mental health. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Youth Counselor

Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselors may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective strategies for supporting their recovery. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor

Peer Counselor

Peer Counselors may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective strategies for supporting their recovery. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Peer Counselor

Psychologist

Psychologists may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective strategies for supporting their recovery. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist

Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric Nurses may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective strategies for supporting their recovery. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychiatric Nurse

School Counselor

School Counselors may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their students and develop more effective strategies for supporting their mental health. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Counselor

Social Worker

Social Workers may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective strategies for supporting their recovery. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Crisis Counselor

This course can help Crisis Counselors to better understand the risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality in young adults, as well as effective intervention strategies for working with this population. Additionally, the course covers how to facilitate appropriate collaborative care, which is essential for ensuring that clients receive the ongoing support they need.

See salaries and explore the career path for Crisis Counselor

Mental Health Case Manager

Mental Health Case Managers may find that this course can help them to better understand the needs of their clients and develop more effective strategies for supporting their recovery. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Case Manager

Counselor

Counselors may find that the modules on non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behavior in young adults are particularly relevant to their line of work. The course also covers essential strategies that may help Counselors to increase the mental fitness of their clients and better identify those who might be struggling with suicidal or self-harming thoughts or behaviors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Prevention Specialist

Prevention Specialists may find that this course helps them to build a foundation in mental health promotion and suicide prevention. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Prevention Specialist

Health Educator

Health Educators may find that this course helps them to build a foundation in mental health promotion and suicide prevention. The course covers essential topics such as understanding the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide, strategies for increasing mental fitness, and recognizing risk factors for mental health crisis and suicidality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Family Therapist

This course may be useful for Family Therapists who work with young adults. The course provides insights into the contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide in young adults, as well as strategies for increasing mental fitness and promoting resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Family Therapist

Mental Health Clinician

This course may be useful for Mental Health Clinicians who work with young adults. The course provides insights into the contributing factors to suicide in young adults, as well as strategies for identifying and intervening with clients who may be at risk.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Clinician

Community Health Advocate

Community Health Advocates may use the skills taught in this course to more accurately identify and respond to mental health concerns in the populations they serve. The course can also help build a foundation in strategies for increasing mental fitness, recognizing contributing factors to poor mental health, and understanding the different resources that are available to community members seeking assistance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Health Advocate