First Aid for Mental Health
St John Ambulance to launch First Aid for Mental Health courses next month
Did you know one in five Australians experience a mental illness each year?
As the number of people affected by mental disorders continues to increase, it is important to understand how to support them in their journey.
With Mental Health Week WA around the corner, St John Ambulance wants to raise awareness for mental health by welcoming its newest training course – First Aid for Mental Health.
As Western Australia’s leading first aid training provider, St John is now offering the First Aid for Mental Health course designed to teach individuals how to provide initial support for work colleagues, family members or friends when the time comes.
Gap in workplace mental health procedures
During the development of the course, St John wanted to assess current mental health procedures in place. Conducting 12 in-depth interviews with organisations of various sizes across multiple industries, St John identified several gaps.
Almost all recognised the increasing need to begin conducting mental health training. However, there appears to be no known existing mandate for organisations to conduct mental health training, and current training is generally conducted on a reactive needs basis.
With stress identified as the key mental health issue prevalent in organisations consistent in all industries, it was essential to create a course designed to equip individuals with the skills to assist them to support those developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.
What is First Aid for Mental Health?
We all know someone who is affected by mental health issues. Whether it is work, home, socially or a combination of all three, poor mental health can have a serious effect on our day-to-day lives.
That is why having an understanding of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues is important, so we can reach out and offer that initial help.
Being able to provide mental health first aid is just as important as being able to provide regular first aid, as it is the crucial first step in the process of helping someone to seek professional ongoing care.
With St John’s First Aid for Mental Health course, individuals will develop their knowledge about mental health issues to provide the right support at the right time including self-care techniques. The course has been specifically designed based on the feedback received by experts in the mental health field
Do I need training?
Much like how everyone can benefit from traditional physical first aid training, everyone can benefit from mental health first aid training. You never know when someone might need your help so it is important to know the signs and symptoms of stress and other mental health conditions.
Ideal for all Western Australians, St John’s First Aid for Mental Health course is delivered by an experienced mental health first aid instructor who will give you strong skills to recognise the signs of mental health issues early, effective strategies to assist someone in need and the confidence to use them.
The course can also be customised for workplaces so managers and employees can better understand mental health issues, promote a healthy workplace and minimise the risk to employee’s mental health.
Course details:
- Expected launch date: Mid-October
- Duration: 1 day (9am – 4pm)
- Maximum number of participants per class: 12
- Training locations: St John Ambulance Perth CBD Training Centre (67 Milligan St) or your own venue for 6+ people
St John is Australia’s largest provider of first aid training and services. For further information about the First Aid for Mental Health course or to register your interest, contact St John Ambulance today.
