{"id":160215,"date":"2025-04-25T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=160215"},"modified":"2025-04-24T10:49:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T00:49:49","slug":"strengthening-mental-health-training-and-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/strengthening-mental-health-training-and-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Strengthening mental health training and support"},"content":{"rendered":"

READ The Play and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia are joining forces to deliver two training courses in 2025.<\/p>\n

Making up the training is a Standard Mental Health First Aid course and a Youth Mental Health First Aid Course, both backed by research and evidence.<\/p>\n

The Standard Course provides people with the skills and knowledge to recognise, respond to and support someone during a mental health problem or crisis.<\/p>\n

Training is designed to equip participants to assist individuals who may be developing a mental health conditions, facing a worsening issue or experiencing an acute\u00a0crisis until professional help is available.<\/p>\n

The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is focused on adults supporting young people between the age of 12 and 18, aimed at coaches, teachers, mentors, volunteers, parents and youth-facing professionals.<\/p>\n

In the youth course, participants will learn to understand adolescent development and mental health challenges, knowledge of common mental health condition, practice strategies to provide support and skills.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Leah Veenhuizen is one of the facilitators for the Mental Health First Aid courses, bringing with her more than 15 years of diverse healthcare experience. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The two courses will cover depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis and substance use problems, while the youth course also includes training on eating disorders.<\/p>\n

Both courses will be delivered by accredited MHFA instructors, including facilitator Leah Veenhuizen, who has more than 15 years of diverse healthcare experience.<\/p>\n

As a registered nurse, Ms Veenhuizen has encountered people at their most vulnerable, working with them to overcome reluctance and shame that often comes with mental health struggles.<\/p>\n

MHFA is a critical component of her work, and she is passionate about facilitating an evidence-based approach to mental health support.<\/p>\n

Her approach to facilitation is calm, open and informative as she shares her professional knowledge and personal experience while creating a supportive and engaging environment.<\/p>\n

Ms Veenhuizen’s goal during her courses is to create an open dialogue, providing space for participants to share their thoughts, ask questions and voice concerns.<\/p>\n

The next Standard Mental\u00a0Health Training Day will be held on April 30 and May 1 at GMHBA Stadium.<\/p>\n

For more information, head to training.readtheplay.org.au<\/a><\/p>\n

\/\/SPONSORED CONTENT<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

READ The Play and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia are joining forces to deliver two training courses in 2025. Making up the training is a Standard Mental Health First Aid course and a Youth Mental Health First Aid Course, both backed by research and evidence. The Standard Course provides people with the skills and […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":160299,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-160215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nStrengthening mental health training and support - Surf Coast Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn vital skills with Mental Health First Aid training in Australia in 2025. Standard & Youth courses available. 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