3 November 2015 | Tennis Queensland

Opportunity to be part of the Active & Healthy Mental Health Recovery Project

One in 5 Australians will suffer from a mental illness in any given year. A mental health problem also affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, but to a lesser extent than a mental illness. Studies indicate that sport and recreation activities is very beneficial for people with a mental health problem.

You might be aware of current members of your club suffering from a mental health:
• anxiety
• schizophrenia
• bipolar mood disorder
• personality disorders
• eating disorders
• depression

These illnesses may also be referred to as a mental disorder, mental impairment or psychiatric disability.
The Active & Healthy Alliance Gold Coast is running an Active & Healthy Mental Health Recovery Project. An important component of this project is the upskilling of community based exercise professionals in mental health first aid training. This 12 hour course is being funded through the project and is a requirement for all fitness professionals and coaches who are keen to work on the project with the A&H Alliance. We would like extend this offer to sport and recreation clubs on the Gold Coast.
Below and attached is some general information regarding the course. The course will be delivered so that it is as specific to you as a sport and recreation club and we aim to ensure it provides you with real life examples so that you feel confident to assist clients who present with mental health concerns.

Want your club to be involved?
There are limited spaces available so if interested please complete the attached Expression of Interest and email to [email protected] which is due Friday 20 November 2016.

What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
What is the Standard Mental Health First Aid course?
The Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is based on the international MHFA Guidelines. These guidelines were developed using consensus of mental health consumers, carers and professionals from English-speaking developed countries.

Course Content
The Standard MHFA course teaches members of the public how to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
Developing mental health problems covered:
• Depression
• Anxiety problems
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems.
Mental health crises covered:
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Non-suicidal self-injury
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe psychotic states
• Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
• Aggressive behaviours.

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Course Format
This is a 12-hour course (4 modules, each 3 hours). The delivery format is flexible. Course participants receive a copy of the Standard MHFA Manual to keep and a Certificate of Completion.