Break O’Day launches Mental Health First Aid instructor training for local community members

IMAGE (Left to Right) - Members of the Live4Life Break O'Day Partnership Group sitting and standing, smiling, in front of the Live4Life banner.

Live4Life Break O’Day Partnership Group is seeking Expressions of Interest for local community members interested in training as Teen or Youth Mental Health First Aid instructors.

Mental Health First Aid instructor training, which forms an essential part of the Live4Life Break O’Day initiative, is being offered to suitably qualified or experienced community members who are passionate about Youth Mental Health and would like to support the implementation of the award-winning Live4Life initiative in Break O’Day. 

Live4Life is the only youth mental health education and suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities.

“The Live4Life Partnership Group is really pleased to be offering this opportunity to local Break O'Day community members. By training local people to become Mental Health First Aid instructors, we are building the capacity of our community,” says Gary Barnes, Manager at Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House. “I would encourage everyone to think about what role they can play to improve Youth Mental Health. This might be one of those opportunities that suits your skills, knowledge and passion, and enables you to volunteer right here in your community through the delivery of this life-changing training in Break O’Day.”

Once trained, instructors will deliver Teen and Youth Mental Health First Aid across schools and communities in Break O’Day. The Teen Mental Health First Aid Course teaches secondary school students how to provide mental health first aid to their friends, while the Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches adults how to assist teenagers who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Break O’Day community members with relevant skills and experience can submit an application and find out more about this life-saving instructor training by contacting Casey Musicka, Program Coordinator at Live4Life Break O’Day, at casey.musicka@fvnh.org.au. Expressions of Interest will close on Monday 9 October 2023. 

This opportunity is being delivered through a partnership with Youth Live4Life, Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House, Break O’Day Council, Royal Flying Doctor Service, St Helens Neighbourhood House (YCNECT), St Marys District School and St Helens District High School.  

Live4Life Break O’Day is generously supported by the Federal Government’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP).