Youth mental health course raising awareness across the shire

A GROUP of 16 adult community members from Anglesea to Geelong are now certified in assisting adolescents who are developing mental health problems thanks to numerous local branches.

The group finished their 14-hour Youth Mental First Aid Course free of charge dating back to the start of July this past Monday, with the support of the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, Anglesea Community House and the Surf Coast Shire.

The new four-part program run by Mental First Aid Australia aims to help local residents, particularly those who volunteer with young people, learn numerous skills in better supporting youths within the community, especially during the ongoing pandemic.

First-time teacher of the course Andy Bell, who has more than 20 years’ experience working with young people and is the co-founder of social enterprise Youth Gurus, describes this nationally accredited training program as a “more robust first aid course”.

“In the course we look in-depth around anxiety, non-suicidal self-harm, suicide, depression, eating disorders, alcohol and drug use as well as mental health in general,” Mr Bell said.

“We also look at identifying resources out in the community and how to support young people to seek appropriate health.”

Mr Bell hopes training courses like this one in areas around the Surf Coast will help create the important first step of raising the mental health literacy in the shire.

Fire Rescue Victoria member and Anglesea resident John Lawry saw the course as a means of diversifying his skillset to help his peers in more ways than one.

“I wanted to meet local people in the community, but I also wanted to help firefighters who live in the area and their families,” Mr Lawry said.

“I also wanted to keep building on my education of mental health and being able to approach people to give them the skills to help them become a better person.”

Carmela Diaz also participated in the course and, as an employee of Ocean Mind, she works with many young people in the community struggling with mental health issues, which made undertaking this program ideal for her.

“I have contact with young people regularly in the Surf Coast community that are going through different issues,” Ms Diaz said.

“Completing this course will allow me to be more comfortable and confident with my abilities to be there for them.”

Mr Bell noted that based on the response from the participants, he will look to be running the course again around November.
Head to youthgurus.com.au for more details.