Media Release - Free Mental Health First Aid Training

Council is offering free mental health first aid (MHFA) training to volunteers, community services, clubs, sporting groups and individuals. These courses are fully funded by the Commonwealth Government under the National Partnership Agreement and aim to provide community members with the confidence to help.

Mental health has been identified as an important and prevalent issue in Australian communities, with one in five Australians experiencing a mental illness each year. Many people are not knowledgeable or confident enough to offer assistance, even when they suspect a person could be experiencing mental health issues.

Members of our community such as coaches, trainers, mentors, parents, carers, school staff and other volunteers are heavily involved with youth, vulnerable people and the elderly. It is important that they have the skills to be able to identify and offer initial assistance and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems.

MHFA training is provided by Mental Health First Aid Australia, a national not-for-profit organisation that develops and evaluates training programs, and trains and accredits instructors.

MHFA training helps whole communities to:

• Recognise the warning signs of mental health problems and intervene early;
• Learn the skills needed to speak openly and accurately about mental health;
• Respond in crisis situations where a person may be at risk of harm; and
• Reduce stigma and increase support for people with mental health problems.

The courses are two-day comprehensive education sessions and are delivered by an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

Council is hosting the following training courses:

• Standard Mental Health First Aid (Saturday 18 and 25 February 2023) – learn how to provide mental health first aid to friends, family members, co-workers and other adults;
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (Saturday 4 and 11 February 2023) – learn how to provide mental health first aid to young people aged 12 to 18 years;
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid (Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 February 2023) – learn how to recognise common mental health problems affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, provide initial support using practical, evidence-based Action Plan, seek appropriate professional support and respond in a crisis situation; and
• Older Person Mental Health First Aid (Thursday 9 and 16 February 2023) – learn how to provide mental health first aid to people aged 65 years and over.

Participant numbers for each course are limited. To book your spot, please register at https://bit.ly/3WwKA79 or by scanning the QR code on the attached flyers.

The registration form provides the option to be added to a waitlist, should course participant numbers reach capacity. In the event that spaces become available, Council may offer these to community members registered on the waitlist.

Attachments: 

• Become a mental health first aider to support friends, family members, colleagues and others;
• Become a mental health first aider to support young people aged 12 to 18;
• Become a mental health first aider to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and
• Become a mental health first aider to support older people aged 65+.