The 2024 Australia Post Community Grants funding program has provided $4800 to a local community group to enable their ‘Looking out for each other’ project to come to life.
Applications closed for the funding opportunity in July, with the Clonbinane Action Group successful in their application to provide a series of Mental Health First Aid courses to the small rural community in the Mitchell Shire, including Waterford Park.
The community is at the centre of a major bushfire recovery area following the tragic 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
The Mental Health First Aid courses will educate 16 adults on how to provide initial support to adults experiencing mental health issues until professional help is received or the crisis is resolved.
The course will also cover the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults, and most importantly, inform participants how to respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem, including learning what treatments and supports are available to help their patient.
On completion of the course and a short assessment, the participants will become accredited Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) with their accreditation valid for three years.
Australia Post General Manager of Community and Stakeholder Engagements Nicky Tracey said that with the rise of mental health diagnoses, there had never been a better time for Australians to look out for each other.
“When we connect, we feel better,” she said.
“Australia Post has a strong connection with their local communities and the projects we are supporting help mental health and wellbeing.
“The 2024 community grant program empowers organisers to continue their work and make a positive difference in the lives of all Australians.”
St John Ambulance Australia runs Mental Health First Aid courses suitable for individuals, workplaces of all sizes, and volunteer and community-based groups. Any adult aged 18+ can attend./roxen-files/print/images/magic-tab.png){kind=small}
To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZdNRMT.
