Children and Young People’s Mental Health PGCert

At a time of increasing concerns about children and young people’s mental health, our MA programme explores the issues young people face and how to support them.

This programme will focus uniquely on evidence-based therapeutic and supportive interventions. In particular, it highlights the importance of the voice of the child and research methodologies aimed at research with children.

The structure of this programme will ensure that students have experience in a range of interventions which work with a variety of presenting issues, including mental health concerns and neurodevelopmental disorders, affording them the skills and knowledge to apply in their professional fields.

In particular, the programme examines a variety of issues affecting children and young people’s mental health such as anxiety, bereavement, childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, ADHD, and attachment disorders. The modules fall into our specialist expertise (i.e., ADHD, ACEs, Therapeutic and nature-based play) to offer a unique, innovative programme underpinned by how we can all support children’s mental health and well-being through interventions such as resilience-building, therapeutic play, nature-based practices and outdoor play, trauma-informed practice and behavioural interventions.

What you will learn

Children’s mental health is a concern in today’s society. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 75% of children and young people who experience mental health problems aren’t getting the help they need. Without early intervention, children are at risk of developing long-term or serious mental health problems into adulthood.

Supporting good mental health helps children develop resilience and coping skills for the future. Our MA in Children and Young People’s Mental Health will give you the knowledge and understanding to manage young people’s mental well-being and to develop strategies and non-clinical interventions to use in your practice.

The course will also encourage you to reflect on theory, policy and practice concerning young people’s mental health. For those wanting to extend their skills in research with children and young people, our unique research methods module examines creative methodologies appropriate to research with young people. These include participatory methods, the mosaic approach, drawings and storytelling.

This programme is open to individuals with a background in a related subject (i.e., psychology, counselling, or early years). You will be expected to hold a 2.1 honours degree or a good 2.2 honours degree (including a research dissertation).