Mental health first aid: learn how to support our teenagers
Published: 07 Oct 2022 11:41am
Warning: this article discusses youth mental health and suicide.
Become a Youth Mental Health First Aider during October, which is Mental Health Month, with a two-day face-to-face course hosted by Wagga Wagga City Council in partnership with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) and the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid training course, which normally costs $350 per person, has been reduced to $20 plus a booking fee, thanks to funding from the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People.
The course will be facilitated by accredited psychologist and MLHD District Clinical Leader John Dean.
Council's Youth Development Officer Alex Osgood said the course was ideal for teachers, parents, carers, youth service providers, and anyone who works with young people, directly or indirectly.
“You might even be a manager at a takeaway or retail store,” Alex said.
“So many of us work with young people, build great relationships with them and may notice changes in their behaviour, but lack the skills or toolkit to know what to do beyond initially asking if they’re okay.
“This course covers everything from that early conversation right through to crisis support where you may need to be with a young person until professional help arrives to take over.”
The Youth Mental Health First Aid training course, created by Mental Health First Aid Australia, covers a wide range of mental health conditions that may affect young people.
Attendees will learn how to recognise common mental health problems, provide initial help using a practical, evidence-based action plan, seek appropriate professional help, and respond in a crisis.
Alex said the course, which Council also hosted in June 2022, had received positive feedback as it covers topics that people may have been afraid to touch on.
“You’ll learn about anxiety, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar, as well as how to talk about suicide and self-harm with young people,” Alex said.
“And we’re so lucky to have John Dean facilitating. As a local, accredited psychologist who works in health, John has a wealth of local knowledge, so attendees will be able to walk away with increased confidence to have those conversations, see the signs, and respond in a suitable manner.”
The Youth Mental Health First Aid training course is proudly hosted by Wagga Wagga City Council in partnership with the MLHD and funded by the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People.
For more information, please contact Wagga Wagga City Council's Youth Development Officer Alex Osgood on 1300 292 442 or email youth@wagga.nsw.gov.au