Let's be Real - Mental Health for Young Minds

Parent guides

Practical guidance for the conversations that happen at the kitchen table, not in a clinic.

See NOTICE parent workshop dates See all workshops

What to say

Openers, follow-ups and the responses that quietly close a conversation down.

Staying with discomfort

How to sit with a teenager's distress without rushing to solve it.

Small things that add up

Everyday habits that build the trust a young person draws on when things get hard.

When to get help

Recognising when a conversation is not enough, and who to involve next.

Articles

Mental Health
Practical Self Care In School (Without the Guilt)
Educators give so much of themselves to pupils that their own wellbeing often slips down the list. This article shows how Mental Health First Aid principles can help teachers embed simple, guilt-free self care practices into the school day.
Nick Praulins - 28/08/2025
Mental Health
Mental Health Is Not Extra Credit: Why Schools Must Step Up Now
Only 7% of young people feel happy. Over half say their mental health isn't taken seriously, and schools aren't helping. In a world where pressure is constant and belonging is rare, mental health can't be 'extra credit' anymore. It must be core curriculum.
Jacqueline M. Klemke - 08/07/2025
Mental Health
They're Not Just Boys, They're Men in the Making: Building A Future Where Strength Includes Mental Health
In a world that too often tells boys to hide their feelings, it's time we teach them that strength also means being vulnerable. A practical call to action for parents, mentors and educators to support boys' mental health.
Jacqueline M. Klemke - 03/07/2025
MHFA
How MHFA-Informed Peer Support Can Help LGBTQI+ Students Feel Safer In Schools
When an LGBTQI+ student opens up to a peer, it can be a moment of deep courage and care. This article explores how schools can build safe, sustainable peer support programmes using Mental Health First Aid principles.
Nick Praulins - 16/06/2025
International Schools
Mental Health First Aid: The Little Things Can Matter Most
When a quiet new student started slipping through the cracks, it wasn't a big intervention that made the difference - it was one small conversation. Learning to recognise and respond to early signs of distress can change everything.
Nick Praulins - 10/04/2025