Local groups gain mental health first aid skills

MEMBERS of local community groups learned valuable Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) skills on Wednesday, 5 November.

The training was delivered by Bronwyn Francis of Bonum Consulting, with six places in the training course offered free of charge to locals.

The course was held in the new learning space at the Tea Gardens Library.

Supported by a comprehensive textbook and slide deck, the course gave attendees practical skills and confidence to recognise and respond to mental-health concerns being experienced by work colleagues, volunteers, family and friends.

The training was attended by a volunteer from the Lions Club of Tea Gardens, who described the experience as “fantastic”.

“It’s an amazing course, and we’re so fortunate to have Bronwyn in our community,” they said.

“Ours is an elderly community, and it’s really important that we can recognise issues around mental health, loneliness, depression, and anxiety in our community.

“This course was great for that.”

Mental Health First Aid Australia was founded in 2000 by Betty Kitchener and her husband, Professor Tony Jorm, a leading mental-health researcher.

Their goal was to extend the concept of first aid to include mental health, empowering everyday people to confidently support someone experiencing a mental-health problem or crisis.