Mental Health First Aid International

Every conversation can be a turning point in someone’s mental health journey. Conversations have the power to make someone feel supported and heard, to break down barriers and reduce stigma, to connect individuals to help, and to potentially save a life. That’s why, for #WorldMentalHealthDay, we’re launching a campaign calling on all Australians to take a pledge to make every conversation matter. Whether with your friends, family, colleagues or even a stranger, every supportive, informed and compassionate conversation can make a world of difference in helping someone get the support they need. Visit our campaign page to learn more, download resources and join us in making a pledge. https://lnkd.in/gxN8Vpq4 How will you #MakeEveryConversationMatter?

There’s a reason the safety instructions on a plane encourage us to put our own oxygen mask on before helping others. That’s because when we look after ourselves, we’re in a better position to support those around us. The same applies during the holiday season. We asked our #MentalHealthFirstAiders for their favourite self-care tips during this time of year. Read the full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/gcgJpazN #MentalHealthFirstAid #MHFA #MHFAiders #SelfCare

While the holiday period can be a time of joy and togetherness, it can also be a difficult time. Everyone experiences this time of the year differently. Our Mental Health First Aiders share their top tips for supporting someone during this time of year. Read the full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/gfA5Axdf #MHFA #MentalHealthFirstAid #MakeEveryConversationMatter

Mental Health First Aid commends the Federal Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and acknowledges all those who bravely shared their story as part of the landmark inquiry. We are proud to be delivering the Mental Health Protect program, on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs and in collaboration with LivingWorks Australia, to equip veterans, their families, and their support networks with the skills to intervene early when someone is experiencing mental health problems or suicidal thoughts. These programs provide essential training to empower the community to be the first line of support for veterans, helping them find a path to recovery sooner and ensuring they are supported throughout their journey. We know that more can be done to ensure early intervention training and awareness are embedded at key stages of ADF members’ careers to ensure sustainable, long-term impact and delivery at scale – and look forward to working the new Task Force to continue addressing mental health and suicide prevention in this community. Read our full response: https://lnkd.in/gFebunmx Find free training for the veteran community: https://lnkd.in/gSrbrHVv We encourage you to check in on the veterans and current serving personnel in your life this week, or reach out for support if this topic brings up difficult emotions for you.

Working in animal care and rescue can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also come with emotional challenges as staff encounter animals in distress. To support their team, RSPCA Queensland has trained more than 1 in 15 employees in Mental Health First Aid, creating an environment where conversations about mental health are openly encouraged. Their commitment to equipping their team with essential mental health first aid skills has led to their recognition as a Skilled Workplace in the MHFA Workplace Recognition Program. ‘This recognition is not just a milestone for our workplace but a beacon of the importance of mental health in our personal lives and the community at large,’ reflects Charles Farrell, Learning & Development Manager at RSPCA Queensland. ‘This recognition reinforces our resolve to continue promoting a culture of understanding and responsiveness towards mental health issues.' Congratulations to RSPCA Queensland for their recognition in this program. Learn more about our Workplace Recognition Program 👉 https://lnkd.in/gfZBkA8f #MentalHealthFirstAid #MHFA #SkilledMHFAWorkplace #WorkplaceRecognitionProgram #RSPCAQueensland

If someone feels safe and supported in a mental health conversation, they may be more likely to open up. We’ve put together six practical steps you can take to create a comfortable environment for someone to talk about their mental health problems. Read the full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/gcbvwt6Y #MentalHealthFirstAid #MHFA

Two of our key priorities as we head into the election year are youth and educator mental health, and it was great to be in Canberra this week to discuss how MHFA can support early intervention and prevention for each. Thank you to Assistant Minister Emma McBride for speaking with Angus Clelland and Marc Bryant about our landmark proposal to equip 100,000+ pre-service teachers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to mental health problems. The proposal, developed in consultation with Australian Council of Deans of Education and Orygen, aims to strengthen the mental health literacy of Australia’s future educators, and see them enter the classroom equipped to understand and support the mental health of those around them. This program would build on the success of the MHFA for Health Professional Students program launched earlier this year. Through early evaluations, we know that learners have reported increased skills and confidence post-course, not only in supporting others, but also in seeking help for themselves, disclosing their own mental health problems, and assessing their emotional readiness to support others. We look forward to continued work with the sector, government and stakeholders to make sure mental health reform remains on the agenda in the lead up to the election, with a focus on early intervention and prevention. Emma McBride, Jason Clare MP

Being a mum in business can often require you to navigate a unique set of challenges – balancing the responsibilities of family life, growing a business, and managing the inevitable ups and downs that come with both. It’s a rewarding journey but can often feel overwhelming, with mental health and self-care sometimes falling to the bottom of a long to-do list. That’s why we’re proud to be part of Be MPowered 2024, the online conference hosted by Mums & Co today, running today until 2:00pm AEDT. Wonderful to see so many attendees sharing their positive experiences with #MentalHealthFirstAid training following Dr Jakqui Barnfield's presentation on mental health in Australia and the support we're providing as part of our sponsorship. In addition to having three MHFAiders on hand to support attendees, we have also developed a page featuring practical mental health resources to support mums in business. Explore the page 👉 https://lnkd.in/g2c2XrFf Register for free 👉 https://lnkd.in/gCgg3U59

We are in Canberra this week to speak about opportunities to equip educators and pre-service educators with the skills, confidence and knowledge to recognise and respond to mental health problems.   As reports continue to highlight the urgent need to address teacher burnout and retention, we’re pleased to be working with the Australian Secondary Principals' Association (ASPA), Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE) and Orygen to develop solutions for MHFA training to be delivered at scale.    Investment in widespread #MHFA training will equip Australia’s current and future educators with an evidence-based toolkit to understand their own mental health, support others, and promote pathways to professional support in their schools.   Marc Bryant 🐨, our Executive Director of Strategic Relationships and Advocacy, and CEO Angus Clelland, look forward to meeting the Hon Emma McBride today to discuss a landmark budget submission with the ACDE and Orygen to train all pre-service teachers in MHFA during their studies.   Pictured is Marc Bryant 🐨, with ASPA President Andy Mison, in Canberra yesterday.

Today we mark #InternationalSurvivorsofSuicideLossDay Thank you to all those who choose to thrive, sometimes just survive, and to those who reach in to the vulnerable Thank you to the 7 million plus who have trained across the globe in Mental Health First Aid International skills training - creating international circles of safety and hope, whether in the workplace, schools, or in the home! Just everyday informed conversations that can turn the dial and change a life! In Australia, MHFA continues to promote #MakeEveryConversationMatter - whether you're reaching in or reaching out - one to one or a group. They all matter: recently a student Dr told her story how a conversation after MHFA training enabled her to have the courage to connect with an older chap in hospital emergency - and connecting him to mental health support for the first time in his life! Finally thank you to all those who work in the mental health and suicide prevention sector! Next week is the last sitting week of the Federal Parliament, and I'm hoping meetings with both the Government and opposition (including independents) are fruitful for what may be the last time before a Federal Election! One thing for sure, is both Angus Clelland and I will be committed to highlighting a united and collaborative sector, which is at the heart of our new Strategic Plan "help" https://lnkd.in/gGUvxX-3 A key area we will push is pre service teacher mental health: we've been working with Orygen ACDE and talking with AUE among other unions, and it's clear there is a remarkable opportunity to boost teacher student well-being via innovative health promotion and prevention activities at scale! Building on our work with medical health professional students! Emma McBride Hollie Hughes Mark Butler MP Patrick McGorry