26 Jun Congratulations to more Youth Mental Health First Aid graduates

TDHS acting chief executive officer Rebecca Van Wollingen has congratulated a second group of locals who recently completed their Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course thanks to funding from the Look Over the Farm Gate (LOTFG) initiative.

The course is designed to up-skill adults so they can better assist youth who are experiencing mental health problems. The recent group of graduates add to an initial intake back in February.

The Timboon courses were delivered in partnership between Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) and Realistic Wellbeing.

Ms Van Wollingen said the LOTFG funding was made possible by Agriculture Victoria, Victorian Farmers Federation, Royal Flying Doctor Service, National Centre for Farmer Health, Country Fire Authority and Country Women’s Association.

“In many ways it’s a call to action for rural communities to look out for one another, promote social inclusion, create awareness about mental health and reduce the impact it has on rural communities,” she said.

“The Youth Mental Health First Aid courses in Timboon have trained nearly 40 adults how to assist adolescents who may be experiencing a mental health problem, or mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

“This is a wonderful outcome for our community and we’re proud to have partnered in the initiative and to have hosted the sessions.”

Ms Van Wollingen said the course covered five common mental health problems – depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis and substance use.

She said it also assisted with a number of mental health crises including suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury, panic attacks, traumatic events, severe psychotic states, severe effects from alcohol or other drug use and aggressive behaviours.

“While this concludes the scheduled delivery of the courses here in Timboon, we can help other people in our area find other opportunities nearby to complete the training,” she said.

Further enquiries can be directed to TDHS Community Health Nurse Amanda Nash on 5558 6000.