Rotary Central Melbourne, Rotary Brighton North in District 9800 and Rotary Hampton in District 9810, have hosted four Youth Mental Health First Aid courses designed to train adults to assist young people experiencing a mental health crisis situation and/or in the early stages of mental health problems.
Mental illness is common in the Australian community, and young people are at the highest risk. Statistics show that 15.4% of people aged between 16 and 24 in any one-year experience anxiety disorders; 12.7% substance abuse; 6.3% depression; and 26.4% across all mental illness.
Rotary is at the forefront working towards educating young adults to assist those who suffer from such mental illness. Youth Mental Health First Aid provides assistance to young people aged between 16 and 24 who may be developing mental health issues or suffering a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is available or until the crisis is resolved.
The fourth Youth Mental Health First Aid course was completed in early May 2022. Twenty participants successfully completed the course. Financial support over the duration of the program was from the Rotary Foundation, Bayside City Council and the fundraising efforts of the participating Clubs. The programme also strengthened partnerships with fellow Rotary Clubs in other areas. It is also an important factor in the ongoing aim to lower the incidence of youth suicide and address the mental health of adolescents in our local communities, with the full support of Rotary Brighton North’s Board.
Topics covered during the course include:
Suicidal behaviour, acute stress reactions, acute psychotic behaviour, anxiety disorders,
Substance abuse, self-harm, panic attacks,
Depression, Psychosis, Eating disorders
It was a requirement for entry into the course that the participants would be working directly with young people in their workplaces. Course attendees will put into practice the skills and lessons learnt during the two-day course and will build upon those skills in their workplaces. If one young life is saved due to the interaction with a graduate of this program, the community benefit is immeasurable.
Rotary Brighton North and its fellow clubs would encourage other District 9800 Rotary Clubs to extend the coverage of the mental health first aid as widely as possible. It may be possible to obtain a District Foundation Grant to help cover costs. Members of the Youth Mental Health Awareness Committee are willing to help.
CONTACT Janine Stratford (janineysaproject@gmail.com) for further information.