On the 3rd and 4th September 2020, 11 new MHFA trained and became accredited in Mental Health First Aid. They now have the skills to support people in our community.
The Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group delivers a number of courses every year, and COVID-19 has not stopped the group in its mission to ensure locals live in a mental health literate community.
It is funded by Channel 4 Change, which local teacher Brenda Norman started in 2017 to raise awareness of youth mental health and make sure local people knew how to help or seek help for youth.
Eleven community members attended the 12 hours Standard Mental Health First Aid course, held at the RSL last week.
They learnt about the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as psychosis and substance use disorder. In this training you learn to be able to have initial conversations with people they might be concerned about, and then are provided the skills to be able to encourage them to seek appropriate professional help or other supports.
Participants also learnt how to support someone who might be suicidal, or having a panic attack and how to help someone who might be having a psychotic episode.
There is a lot discussion about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of our communities and the increased risk for developing mental health issues. ‘Deni MHAG is ensuring our community can learn the skills to be able to support both youth and adults.
