Ten Directors of First Impressions (aka administrative staff) from the Richmond Clarence network came together at the Yamba Community Health Centre recently to complete the accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course.
One Wednesday 21 August, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) coordinators Steve Carrigg and Sam Osborne co-facilitated the face-to-face component of the ‘blended’ MHFA course.
The MHFA course requires participants to complete about six hours of online learning which is followed by four hours of face-to-face consolidation of the online theory. Participants then become fully accredited in Mental Health First Aid!
Steve and Sam both have clinical backgrounds and recognise the incredibly important roles our admin staff have within our organisation, roles that could also be described as ‘Directors of First Impressions’.
Some of the feedback received included:
This course was very informative, and I feel I have learnt information I am able to apply to my daily duties in my current position.
Thank you, it was a great course. I believe this would be very valuable for all frontline staff in Mental Health especially, also carers and support workers for those with Mental Health problems. Instructors were great!!!
The day was well supported by management, and Steve and Sam are hoping to continue offering this training for more of our admin staff across the LHD in the months to come.