22/06/2024
BULAHDELAH LIONS CLUB SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
At our Monthly General Meeting held 6/3/24 local Bulahdelah resident Nicky Hammerl attended and provided an overview of the Youth Mental Health First Aid Course which is one of the many courses developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia. Nicky’s plan was to organise a course to be held in Bulahdelah and asked if the Bulahdelah Lions Club would be interested in subsidising part of the course cost. Members in attendance decided this would benefit the Community and agreed to the subsidy. It was also agreed that The Lions Club would manage participant payments and receipting for the course as this would be easier when making the final payment.
Nicky was able to recruit 16 willing participants from Bulahdelah and surrounding areas including two Bulahdelah Lions Club members Judy Dixon (President) and Eric McGrath (Treasurer) with the course being held on the 1st & 2nd June at the Bulahdelah Memorial Hall.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is a 14 hour course designed for adults who live with, work with or otherwise interact with adolescents. It is designed as an early intervention program to help adults assist young people to get professional assistance for a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use problems. It provides skills in recognizing mental health problems as well as providing practice in communicating with young people to promote help seeking.
Our Facilitator was Geoff Bowser, a Clinical Psychologist based in Newcastle from where he delivers Face to Face and Telehealth services. He is also a Consultant Instructor Trainer for MHFA Australia as well as delivering Youth, Standard and Older Person MHFA courses for businesses and community organizations. His contact details are:
Worldview Consulting: Tel: 0448 451 323
Email: [email protected]
Worldview Psychology: Tel: 0439 807 802
Email: [email protected]
This is an Accredited Course and on completion and passing a short Assessment (done in your own time and non-compulsory) you will receive a Certificate of Accreditation which is valid for 3 years.
For more information on the course contact Geoff Bowser on the details above or MHFA Aust direct at www.mhfa.com.au
Thank you to Geoff and Nicky for organising and providing a great presentation of the Youth Mental Health First Aid Course. It certainly was a rewarding experience.
Anyone can have a conversation that may save a life. Everyone should know how. Our vision is a community where everyone has the skills to support people with mental health problems.