A QUALIFIED facilitator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health first-aid training held a two-day workshop at a local fitness facility recently.
Local man Sam Mitchell ran six first-aid sessions at Loxton’s Riverland Boxing and Fitness Club – three on Saturday and three on Sunday – to “create awareness and destigmatise mental health”.
The courses, which were exclusive to coaches and members of both Renmark and Loxton boxing clubs, each ran for two hours and Mr Mitchell said he received a positive response from participants.
“The training is just like a first-aid course but it teaches people how to asses mental health, particularly with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focus,” he said.
“I educate participants on all the misinformation and mistruths about mental health and how there’s a higher suicide rate for indigenous people.
“I talk about anxiety, depression and the different risk factors around social and historical contexts for indigenous people.”
Mr Mitchell said facilitating the course locally was important.
“Indigenous people have a lack of opportunities around education and health and it’s vital I create awareness and help out,” he said.
“The great thing about having a local trainer is more people have access to the education and I’m able to tell people where they can go in the community to get help and why.”
Mr Mitchell encouraged local agencies and organisations to undergo the course.
“The course is aimed for adults – 18 and above – and I would be more than happy to go to anyone’s workplace for a chat,” he said.
For more information or to book a workshop, contact Mr Mitchell on 0427 455 856.