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Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People

Michelle Lee, Shirley Reynolds, Monika Parkinson, Laura Pass, Lucas Shelemy, Faith Orchard, and Lucinda Powell

Week 1: What does problematic low mood and depression look like? Week 2: Healthy habits for young people Week 3: Doing more of what matters Week 4: Challenging thoughts Week 5: Family Communication & Self-Care, Planning for the Future and Getting More Help Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course has been specifically created for parents of young people with depression and low mood, teachers and primary (or other) healthcare professionals who play a role in detecting mental health difficulties and offering appropriate support and guidance to young people. You can use the hashtag #FLteendepression to talk about this course on social media.

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to supporting youth mental health

According to students, 'Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People' is a largely positive course, providing well-structured, evidence-based content with practical strategies and actionable advice. Learners found it highly relevant for parents and teachers, offering valuable insights into family communication, healthy habits, and self-care for caregivers. While praised for its accessible and empathetic tone, some experienced professionals noted it lacks advanced clinical depth, finding it too introductory for their needs. A few reviews also suggested that video lectures could be more interactive.

Presents complex topics clearly with a supportive tone.

"The content was evidence-based and presented in an accessible way."

"The gentle and empathetic tone throughout was very comforting."

"The pacing was good, making it easy to follow along even with a busy schedule. I found the module on challenging thoughts quite insightful."

Tailored well for parents, teachers, and new professionals.

"As a parent, I found the strategies for family communication particularly helpful."

"Excellent and essential course for anyone interacting with young people. The information on early detection and appropriate support was invaluable."

"It's an excellent foundation for parents or those new to the field, but it covers a wide range of aspects related to low mood in young people."

Provides actionable methods for supporting young people.

"This course was incredibly well-structured and provided a compassionate yet practical approach to understanding and supporting young people with depression."

"As a school teacher, this course gave me the confidence and tools to identify and support students struggling with their mental health."

"It provides practical strategies and a much-needed understanding of the complexities of youth depression. I feel much better equipped to support my child after completing it."

Some wished for more interactive learning elements.

"I found some of the video lectures a bit dry and repetitive. I was hoping for more interactive elements or real-life examples beyond just case studies."

"The videos were simply talking heads reading scripts. There wasn't enough interaction or practical application for me."

"I found the course to be very basic and unengaging. It felt like a rehash of information readily available elsewhere without much added value."

Too introductory for experienced clinical professionals.

"Some parts felt a bit basic for a healthcare professional, but it's an excellent foundation for parents or those new to the field."

"I was looking for more advanced techniques for working with depressed youth. This course felt too introductory for my needs as a practicing therapist."

"While it covered the basics, it didn't offer the clinical depth I anticipated. Perhaps it’s better suited for a general audience or those just starting out."

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Learners who complete Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to supporting youth mental health

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