October is Mental Health Month and to raise awareness around this important topic Central Coast Council is running a number of training sessions for the community.
Courses such as Accidental Counsellor and Safe Talk aim at increasing education on how to spot the signs and symptoms of someone experiencing mental illness, tips on how to start a conversation about it and how to refer someone for further support.
Leah Haydon from Council’s Community Development department said the workshops were all free but there were limited numbers so it was imperative to register, but only if you know you can attend, so others don’t miss out on the opportunity.
The Accidental Counsellor workshop is blended online training aimed at those who would like to be able to safely and effectively support friends, family, colleagues and strangers who are in distress or experiencing a crisis.
The course consists of a 90-minute online, self-paced mental health preparation module, in advance of a three-and-a-half hour online workshop delivered via zoom.
Two training sessions are available – Tuesday, October 18 from 9.15am to 1pm and Thursday, October 20 from 12.45pm to 4.30pm.
The Safe talk course is for those working with young people or in a sporting group, and is a half day presentation to increase suicide awareness.
The program alerts participants to the signs that someone may be considering suicide and helps you become more confident to support friends and co-workers in times of distress.
The Safe Talk course will be on Tuesday, October 25 from 9.15am to 12.30pm and light refreshments will be provided.
For online registrations follow the link Checkout – Lifeline Direct (arlo.co).
Sue Murray