A mental health “first aid” program targeted at youth in St George and Sutherland Shire is reaching some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
Ahead of Mental Health Week (October 1-7), the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District is pushing full steam ahead with an initiative that trains more people who can identify emotional struggles.
By next month, more than 350 adults will be trained for the Mental Health First Aid Youth program as instructors who support young people in the area.
The aim is for high school teachers, social workers, sporting coaches, driving instructors, among others, to deliver “first aid” training to young offenders, homeless youth, those disengaged from education, the LGBTQI community, and Aboriginal youth.
The program, which was established last year, was co-designed with NSW Health, Department of Education, Central and Eastern Primary Health Network, Department of Family and Community Services, NSW Police, councils and headspace.
It is funded for 15 instructors who are already working in support services and interacting with youth on a regular basis.
District figures show that 75 per cent of mental illnesses manifest before the age of 25, and suicide is the leading cause of death in children aged 5-17 years.
Linking youth to support early can reduce the severity and developmental impact of mental illness, says program coordinator Katherine Coote.
“It is really important not just for suicide prevention but young people who are depressed, or suffer from psychosis,” she said.
“Not many people are aware that most mental health problems commence before age 18, such as anxiety disorders. The average age is 16. But it’s not often diagnosed until later and sometimes the damage done by then is too late.
“It’s about reaching out, recognising the signs and knowing what to do if a young person comes to you in crisis. They might not tell their parents but they may tell a netball coach or school librarian.”
Mental Health is the number one issue of national concern for young Australians, research by Mission Australia reveals.
Its 2017 youth survey, which included 24,055 young people aged 15-19, showed that mental health, followed by alcohol and drugs and equity and discrimination were the top concerns.
One third of youth (33 per cent) said it was a national concern. This was up from 14 per cent in 2015.
Coping with stress, body image and depression, were also noted as areas of concern for youth.
Improving mental health services was announced as a key goal of the federal government’s long-term national health reform plan, with an additional $338 million announced in the 2018-19 Budget.
In September, Health Minister Greg Hunt announced a $9 million boost for youth mental health.
The funding will deliver more research to support better services and treatment, and the development of new clinical services, education and training.
It will also provide $660,000 to support development of a new National University Mental Health Framework.
The voluntary framework will provide guidelines and standards to help universities create positive learning environments which prevent mental health issues and poor education outcomes.
Mental health is also one of the topics included in a new NSW government-funded course for year 11 and 12 students.
The Life Ready program, which is being rolled out in 2019, is a mandatory 25-hour course that includes practical learning and application of skills for real-life situations relating to mental health.
