Learn to Help. Be There When It Matters Most.

My mission is to equip adults with practical, accredited training to recognise and respond to youth mental health challenges. I deliver this support-focused education through a Christian lens, emphasising compassion, hope, and care, while remaining inclusive and open to all. Whether you're a parent, teacher, youth leader, or carer, my goal is to help you feel confident and prepared to make a difference in the lives of young people.

First Aid for Youth Mental Health

  • Young people today face increasing mental health challenges, and many adults feel unsure how to help. This training empowers you to:

    • Understand what mental health is and how it impacts young people.

    • Recognise early signs of mental health struggles.

    • Learn practical steps to provide first aid support.

    • Reduce stigma and build safe, supportive communities.

    • Understand the effects of technology on youth mental health (social media, gaming, pornography, etc).

  • Anyone who actively connects with young people.

    Such as:

    • Parents and carers.

    • Teachers and school staff.

    • Youth leaders and volunteers.

    • Young adults who work with youth.

    • Anyone passionate about supporting young people.

    • Qualification: FAA-accredited, level 2 (Ofqual-regulated).

    • Format: Online via Zoom on consecutive weekday evenings or a full day on a Saturday.

    • Next online dates: Three Wednesdays— September 3, 10, and 17th.

    • Time: 7:00 – 9:15 PM.

    • Cost: £60 PP with group rate options.

Portrait of a young man with short curly red hair, a beard, and blue eyes, wearing a light beige striped shirt, smiling against a cloudy sky background.

About Me

Hi, I’m Matt.

Originally from New Zealand, I now reside in Brighton in the UK and am a part of the St. Peter’s Church community.

My background is in education. I have over three years of classroom teaching experience and three years of experience as a swimming instructor. This has shaped my passion for helping young people succeed.

I have personally faced mental health challenges throughout my life, which fuels my commitment to this work. After becoming a Mental Health First Aider in New Zealand, I was inspired to empower others to gain these vital skills. In 2024, I became a certified instructor in the UK through Nuco Training, qualifying me to teach all levels and types of Mental Health First Aid.

I now focus on equipping parents, carers, youth leaders, teachers, and young adults with the skills and confidence to support youth mental health in a practical, compassionate way. While my approach is rooted in Christian values of hope and care, the training is open and welcoming to everyone.

Testimonials

Arnold Mabiala

"I am so glad I did this course. It was incredibly informative, practical, and empowering. I now feel much more confident in recognising signs of mental health struggles and offering support in a safe and compassionate way. Mental health matters, and this training is a valuable step toward creating a more supportive and understanding community. I highly recommend it!"

A quote from Helen Wheeler praising Matt for his friendly manner and helpful group discussions during a course, with a five-star rating above. The background shows a white bed with a notebook, a pair of white headphones, and a laptop displaying the time 6:41 AM.

Nicky Davies

"I was nervous to do this course because it is on Zoom, and from 'lockdown', my experiences of Zoom were not great. However, because of the way the course was conducted and because of the way Matt was really encouraging right at the beginning and the manner in which he spoke, it relaxed me to enjoy the course. It was also great to meet other people with whom you could discuss thoughts and processes. By the end, I felt very supported and have gained a lot of knowledge which I will be able to put into action with our youth club."

Testimonial with five-star rating on a coffee table next to a black lamp, notebook, and brown vase, highlighting positive feedback about mental health training.

Chelsea Flood

"Matthew was really knowledgeable and great at communicating, helping everybody where they are and being mindful when sensitive subjects were being covered. He was great at breaking the ice and ensuring we felt comfortable with one another. It was great having it within the Christian context as we were all from the same sort of setting."

Contact

Ready to take the next step in supporting youth mental health? I’d love to help you build the skills and confidence to make a real difference.

Simply message me “September” to learn how to book for the September course.

When you get in touch, I can share further upcoming training dates or help you arrange a session at a time that works for you or your group. You can also find out more about group rates.

Let’s start the conversation, because every young person deserves to feel safe, supported, and understood.