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Prevention First

An Anna Freud programme that equips the adults who support young people every day with free evidence and tools that they need to prevent mental ill health.

Launching February 2027

We’ll have more to share about Prevention First soon. Sign up to our Anna Freud newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with Prevention First and other training and resources.

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What is Prevention First?

Rates of mental ill health among children and young people have been rising for more than 20 years. We need to do more than respond when young people are already struggling. It’s time for something new. It’s time to focus on prevention first.

Prevention First is a new, free programme from Anna Freud, in collaboration with the Centre for Mental Health. Working with young people, parents, carers and practitioners, we are pioneering a bold new approach to preventing mental ill health that uses evidence, tests approaches and changes systems for the better.

Together, we want to strengthen the support around young people, so they can build better foundations for good mental health, and thrive.

What Prevention First offers

Prevention First will equip the professionals young people meet every day – from youth workers and coaches to school counsellors and teachers – with free, practical tools to turn research into reality.

We will provide:

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Practice briefings

Access clear, practical recommendations grounded in evidence.

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Training modules

Build skills and confidence to put evidence into practice.

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Communities of practice

Share what works, explore challenges and learn together.

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