Strathbogie Shire is the first Victorian Council to have members of its staff complete a metal health first aid course. Council’s Community Services Manager, Wendy Freeland, initiated the workplace training after becoming one of the first 12 trained mental health first aid trainers in the State.
Mental Health First Aid was designed by the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University.
A 12 hour course teaches participants to provide support and assistance to people with a mental health crisis or those in the early stages of mental health problems. Staff are taught to recognise the signs of someone experiencing a mental health problem, how to provide initial assistance and how to guide a person toward appropriate professional help.
Crisis situations covered in the course include;
- suicidal behaviours and thoughts
- acute stress reaction
- panic attacks
- post traumatic stress disorders
- acute psychotic attacks.
Depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are among the mental health problems covered.
“Strathbogie Shire is a small municipality, so to be leading the state in this workplace initiative is a real achievement,’’ said Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Hannagan. “Mental health issues affect many people in our community. With Council officers meeting with numerous organisations and residents every day, being skilled in managing mental health issues is an advantage.”
The course is suitable for reception and by laws staff, home care, maternal and child health staff within Local Government.
For more information contact Wendy Freeland on (03) 5795 2555.
