Jersey Scout Association leaders will be able to offer mental health first aid to their troops as a result of support from The International Stock Exchange (TISE).

TISE has pledged funding for three Jersey Scout Association leaders to attend youth mental health first aid training courses run by Mind Jersey.

Two leaders participated in a course during December 2018 and a third is set to take part in another session early this year.

Fiona Le Poidevin, CEO of The International Stock Exchange Group (TISEG), said: “Mental health is a hugely important issue no matter a person’s age but clearly there is a huge benefit to prevention and early intervention. As such, we’re pleased to be able to support the Jersey Scout Association in their desire to increase the number of leaders they have who are trained by Mind Jersey as Youth Mental Health First Aiders.”

The two scout leaders attended the youth mental health first aid training course at the Monterey Hotel, St Helier.

Beverley Colley, Deputy Island Commissioner – Programmes and County Explorer Scout Commissioner at the Jersey Scout Association, said: “As my role is mainly volunteering with young people aged between 14 and 18 years old, I was selected to attend the course. Having been a leader for the last 12 years, I have seen an increase in young people who have mental health issues. Currently, Mental Health training is not part of the Scout Association’s standard training and I always felt unprepared when they came to me with their worries. Now having attended the course I feel better prepared and able to help support our young people.”

The course was run by Liz Kendrick-Lodge, Service Development Manager and Mental Health First Aid National Trainer, and Amy Hall, Youth Participation Worker and Mental Health First Aider, from Mind Jersey.

Ms Kendrick-Lodge said: “At Mind Jersey we are working towards embedding the principles of prevention and early intervention across all youth settings so that mental health first aid is available to all children and young people who need it. We are thrilled to have received funding from TISE to train three Scout Leaders as Youth Mental Health First Aiders. We commend both TISE and the Jersey Scout Association for their commitment to increase the number of people skilled to recognise the signs of a young person developing a mental health problem and to respond appropriately.”

Philippe Huelin, Troop Assistant at the Jersey Scout Association, was the other attendee on the course.

He said: “I found the youth mental health first aid training course really helpful. It’s one thing knowing a bit about common mental health problems but quite another to have the skills and confidence to support someone who may be struggling. The course was very thorough and professionally delivered by trainers who were clearly experienced and knew their stuff. This course, I found, was not just relevant and useful to my role working with young people in Scouting but also gave useful skills and much food for thought regarding the ways we relate to one another in everyday life and how we might do that more skilfully.”

TISE has also been working in a similar way with Guernsey Mind.