Participants in a Mental Health First Aid Course at Evans Head have praised the course and welcomed the knowledge they’ve gained.
Evans Head is part of Healthy North Coast’s Healthy Towns initiative.
Mandy Powell, who works in the role of Evans Head Healthy Towns Community Connector, said the two-day course attracted 18 participants and was a big success.
“Mental health is a huge issue here,” Ms Powell said. “There is not a lot of support in our small community. People are crying out for something like this.”
As Community Connector, Mandy supports community members to access health and wellbeing services and build social connectedness.
The Mental Health First Aid Course was run by experienced social worker Jane Conway. It teaches adults how to provide initial support to those aged 18-plus who are developing mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, psychosis or substance use.
Participants also learn how to support those who are experiencing worsening of an existing mental health problem or having mental health crises including:
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Panic attacks
- Traumatic events
- Severe psychotic states
- Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
- Aggressive behaviours.
The first aid is given until the appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Course participants receive a copy of the Standard Mental Health First Aid manual and are eligible to become an accredited Mental Health First Aider.
“Most of the people who attended were there to gain more knowledge about how to help friends and family,” Ms Powell said.
Comments from participants included ‘I found the advice fantastic’, ‘The tips were helpful’, ‘Very interesting and informative’, ‘A better understanding of all types of mental health’, and ‘Workbook is an awesome resource’.
For more information about Healthy Towns, click here.
Pictured: Participants in the recent Mental Health First Aid Course at Evans Head.