Local campaign tackles mental health stigma with free training

The training will be offered to Surf Coast Shire residents for free and teach people how to recognise the early signs of common mental health concerns, respond with confidence and help connect individuals experiencing mental health challenges with appropriate, professional support. Photo: ADOBE

A NEW community campaign is aiming to equip 500 Surf Coast residents with free mental health first aid training, to boost local mental health literacy and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

The campaign is an initiative of mental health advocacy organisation Art of the Minds and will see residents of the shire trained, at no cost, to recognise the early signs of common mental health concerns, respond with confidence and help connect individuals experiencing mental health challenges with appropriate, professional support.

Art of the Minds president Sarah Molnar said the campaign had received a “fantastic response” from the Surf Coast community, with registrations already rolling in.

“We wanted to create a mission that we could focus on over the years to come, with measurable outcomes we can see in the community,” she said.

“Our strength as an organisation lies not only in our creative ways of engaging the community on the topic of mental health – such as our annual art show, songwriting competition and storytelling events – but also in providing literacy and practical tools on the topic of mental illness.

“That’s why we’re striving to see our region become recognised for its commitment to mental health first aid.”

As part of the campaign, free, two-day mental health first aid training sessions will be offered at locations throughout the region, with accessibility and inclusion to remain a key focus in their delivery.

The next training session is scheduled for October 7 and 8 at the Torquay Community House in Price Street. Participants will need to be available to attend both days to receive the certification.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided by Feed Me Surfcoast.

“We hope that, in time, we can find further funding and support from across the community to keep [the mental health first aid training campaign] going,” Ms Molnar said.

For more information or to register your interest in receiving mental health first aid training, head to artoftheminds.org.au