Six students at a Scunthorpe college are training to become mental health first aiders
It's happening at North Lindsey College
Last updated 11th Feb 2021
A group of college students in Scunthorpe are being trained up to support others with their mental health. It's part of a peer mentoring scheme which involves a large amount of training.
It's thought many young people would rather go to their peers before seeking professional help.
Jade Emerson's an Inclusion Ambassador says she thinks being a similar age to those she'll support will help people to open up;
"We're dealing with people who have disabilities and help them participate in sports, so they feel more included and welcomed so they don't feel like they're treated differently to other people"
Jade says "I wanted to be able to help people by the time I've left in two years. And know that I've not just done my course I've been able to go there and help other people"
She says the pandemic has stalled some of the help they can give, but not stopped it completely "I been offered to do an online lesson to help people. So they know that even though we're in this pandemic and lockdown that they still are able to talk to us and we still are able to help them even though we are at home"
North Lindsey College says it's helping to put the mental health of it's students first by having specially trained students supporting others.
Josh Willis has trained to be a Mental Health Ambassador he's not been able to put his training into action yet due to Covid-19, he says he finished his training about a month ago and it was challenging but fun.
He says " I enjoy helping other people when they feel down or upset. I'll basically be talking to them about how to open up and talk to people and get the help that they need"
He thinks people "are probably more likely want to talk to me - because if someone is older or younger than them they might feel a bit different talking to them. Whereas if it's someone nearer their own age they might feel alright"