Even if we haven’t done one, most of us know what’s involved in a first aid course: mouth to mouth resuscitation, heart compression and how to make a splint.
But what might mental health first aid consist of?
It is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis.
On Thursday 3 and Friday 4 August, Lennox Head’s first Mental Health First Aid Course will be held at the Lennox Community Centre, supported by Ballina Shire Council.
‘As we now know, one in three people will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime,’ according to Trent Chapman, the course co-facilitator at Mental Health First Aid Australia.
‘So it has become the responsibility of everyone in the community to educate, empower, and support ourselves and each other,’ he said.
Participants in this course will learn skills and gain confidence to assist friends, family and co-workers experiencing mental health problems, including signs and symptoms, where and how to get help, and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.
The 12-hour course covers topics including depression, anxiety problems, psychosis and substance use problems, as well as suicide and other mental health crises
Graduates are elligible to become an accredited Mental Health First Aid Trainer.
The Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA) is part of a community mental health education program that has spread worldwide. Over half a million Australians have now completed MHFA training since it began in 2001. MHFA courses are open to all members of the community aged 18 years and above.
The Mental Health First Aid course will be held at Lennox Community Centre on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 August from 9:30am – 4:30pm.
Registration is essential and costs $330. Limited places available. For more information and to register, go to the website.
