Mental Health First Aid Scholarships

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 What is the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Scholarship Program?

We’re excited to announce the launch of our Mental Health First Aid Scholarship Program, available to all small and medium businesses within the Rural City of Wangaratta. This initiative is funded by Project 365 in collaboration with the Grit and Resilience Program, and is designed to help local businesses build more supportive, mentally healthy work environments. 

Why This Matters for Your Business: 

In today’s fast-paced world, mental health is a critical component of any thriving workplace. By investing in your team’s well-being, you’re not only supporting your employees but also fostering a healthier, more productive environment. Whether your business is in manufacturing, retail, health, agriculture, tourism, education, or hospitality, this training will give your staff the tools to: 

  • Recognize and respond to mental health challenges. 

  • Create a positive, supportive atmosphere in the workplace. 

  • Reduce absenteeism and improve overall team morale. 

 

Who Can Apply? 

All small and medium-sized businesses within the Rural City of Wangaratta are eligible to apply for this fully-funded scholarship. If you want to create a workplace where mental health is prioritized, this is your opportunity! 

 

Course options

Mental Health First Aid - 2 days face to face

The Standard Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to another adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. 

Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults, how to recognise and respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem and the treatments and supports available.

Learn how to apply mental health first aid to adults across a range of common mental health problems and crisis situations, including:

  • Depression | Anxiety | Psychosis | Substance use problems | Panic attacks | Suicidal thoughts and behaviours | Non-suicidal self-injury | Traumatic events.

 

Mental Health and Crisis Support - 1 day face to face with 1 hour mandatory pre-course work

Gain essential skills and confidence to manage a range of situations including depression, anxiety, addition and suicide.  This course is suitable for community workers, and people in the workplace and community who may be involved in crisis intervention.

Course outline:

  • What is mental health? | What is a mental health crisis? | Duty of care | Principles of crisis intervention | Providing support to people at risk | Recognising and responding to signs of a person who may be at risk | Where to go for assistance | Principles of self care

 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Essentials Workshop - 3.5 hours face to face

This workshop is focused on practical skills and strategies to support your own healthy thinking and wellbeing.

Course outline:

  • Current statistics on mental health in Australia | How mental health and wellbeing impacts us personally | Mental health is not static, it's a continuum | That some mental health problems are preventable and the skills required to reduce risk | How to identify hazardous thinking and behaviours that can significantly impact on mental health and increase the risk of developing preventable mental health problems | How our mind and body influence our mental and physical health | How your mindset can work for you instead of against you | How prevention programs and strategies can help improve the way you manage unavoidable hazardous challenges and reduce risk of developing mental health problems | How to increase your resilience, influence and relationships with yourself and others

 

Apply now

Applications closed December 13, 2024.

 

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply?

To qualify, your business must: 
  • Be located and operating within the Rural City of Wangaratta 

  • Have between 1 and 100 employees 

  • Meet the attendance and study requirements for the training, which will occur in March 2025 

 

How many businesses will be trained?

 Funding for this round will allow up to 32 individuals to be trained. Currently, there is no ongoing commitment to expand this program.

 

What is the impact of MHFA training?

MHFA training equips individuals with skills to recognize and respond to mental health issues effectively. Research shows that organizations with MHFA-trained staff report: 

  • Higher levels of mental health literacy 

  • Reduced stigma around mental health issues 

For example, 87% of participants in MHFA courses felt more confident in supporting someone with a mental health issue. 

 

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