The dates of our next Mental Health First Aid Training will be announced in due course.

The Irish Support Agency kicked off their Heath & Wellbeing Program in Spring 2016 with Mental Health First Aid training for Irish Community groups thanks to funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Emigrant Support Program. The rationale was to build the capacity of individuals, families, organisations and communities so they can contribute to the reduction of mental ill-health, suicide and related impacts.

Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental problem or in a mental health crisis. Regular first aid courses are widespread, however most of these courses do not address how best to support those with mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid training aims to fill this gap and can equally save lives.

The Training

What’s covered:

• Mental illnesses: depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and psychosis. 

• Mental health crises: suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury, traumatic events and aggressive behaviours.

What's included?
Each participant will receive their own MHFA manual to keep. Upon completion of the training participants can complete a short assessment and if they pass they will become an accredited Mental Health First Aider for 3 years.

Who can attend?
This training is for any adult supporting another adult. No previous training or experience is required. Due to the funding that we receive, this course is limited to members of the Irish Australian community living in NSW.

Delivery

There are two modes of delivery for this course, in-person and blended.

• In person delivery

12 hour course delivered over two or four days.

• Blended delivery

The Blended Online MHFA Community Course has been adapted from the Standard MHFA course for adults into a 100% online format consisting of two components. The training offers the same accreditation as the standard course. It involved two components:

• Self-paced eLearning course over 5-6 hours on common mental illnesses and appropriate actions

• 2 x 2.5hr Instructor led webinars to consolidate learning and build confidence to apply skills.

What's the cost?
Total cost is $50.00 per person which includes MHFA fee for access to eLearning modules and manual.
(The fee has been heavily subsidised by the Irish Support Agency.

About the Instructor
Roisin Trainor is a Master MHFA Instructor https://mhfa.com.au/instructor...
With a background in providing crisis support to vulnerable and migrant communities, she understands how important it is to be appropriately trained and supported to respond when someone is in crisis. Rosin has years of experience in improving the health and wellbeing of diverse populations across a range of settings including community organisations, schools and universities.

"I believe it is really important to run Mental Health First Aid Training for Irish communities in Sydney, not only to educate people on what is mental illness, but to give people the confidence and skills in providing support. The more we educate people the more likely we are to reduce the stigma around mental illness.

We are all a long way from home and often unsure of services available. This course gives us information and ideas on where to go to access mental health support in Sydney. Having groups specific to the Irish community coming along helps people form networks and adds to their support systems. Mental illness affects 1 in 5 people in any given year, and the more we educate people the more likely people are going to be, in seeking help, and this will help provide better outcomes for the person experiencing mental illness."

- Elaine O’Brien Mental Health Nurse, Sydney

To date the Irish Support Agency has trained over 100 members of the community in mental health first aid training sessions.  If you engage with a number of Irish people on a regular basis and feel that you would benefit from Mental Health First Aid training, please register below to be notified about our next scheduled training.