Mental Health First Aid International (MHFAI) is in Canberra this week to spotlight the need for mental health reform as part of its participation in the 34th Annual Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Conference.
Marc Bryant, Executive Director of Strategic Relationships and Advocacy, says MHFAI is proud to be a key sponsor at the event, which is bringing the sector together to advance conversations around mental health in Australia.
MHFAI will be showcasing its national ‘Would you know what to say?’ stigma reduction campaign released in June this year, that explores the power of mental health first aid conversations.
The campaign, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program, draws attention to the difference that a trained Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider) can make in supporting early intervention and prevention in communities and workplaces. In the campaign, seven individuals candidly speak about their experiences providing mental health first aid to others and connecting them to professional help.
In addition to this, MHFAI is attending the conference to engage with the sector and mental health community, on working together to support those vulnerable in the community.
‘MHFAI is embarking on an ambitious six-year strategy which includes increasing collective impact to create early intervention for mental health problems and psychological distress’, he says.
‘To do that we need a circle of safety and support in schools, workplaces, and the community – with at least one person in every close network trained in MHFA skills to support others confidently and safely.’
Mr Bryant notes that effective intervention requires more than just training. ‘We need to make sure that when an MHFAider does provide intervention, they are able to guide people to professional care that is not only accessible and effective but also part of a responsive and coordinated mental health system.’
‘This is why we are advocating for a greater roll out of services such as the Medicare walk-in mental health centres, Headspace centres and digital peer pathways.’
This conference, running from 27–30 August 2024, is bringing together key leaders and organisations from across the sector under the theme ‘Finding Common Ground’.
Mental Health First Aid is committed to working with organisations, communities, services and governments to understand their needs for skills development and fit-for-purpose solutions to embed MHFA training locally or at scale. Get in touch with our team at community@mhfa.com.au.
