Central Blue Mountains Rotary is running a project to build mental health first aid capacity in the communities affected by the fires of 2019, a need that has grown with the subsequent floods and pandemic. Our approach, explained in the attachment, is to train Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructors in the RFS, SES and community groups, including Rotary. At the moment we have funding to train 16 instructors, 12 on a dedicated course to be delivered in the Blue Mountains, and 4 places on other courses to be run in the Sydney area. In a sense this is a pilot project, and if it is as successful as we expect it to be, we would like to see it rolled out in more fire-affected areas and in greater numbers. Our focus initially is in the Blue Mountains with some participation from surrounding regions.
We are seeking expressions of interest from Rotarians who wish to become MHFA Instructors and deliver courses to the community as follows:
Blue Mountains; Two persons
Central Coast; One person
South Coast (Bega-Lake Conjola?); One person
West (Orange?) One person.
Could you please seek expressions of interest from Rotarians you know are good facilitators and who you believe will do a good job of delivering Mental Health First Aid courses? We would like to finalise the nominations by 30 October at the latest to start the process with MHFA Australia.
I am very happy to answer any queries from yourselves or potential nominees.
Regards,
Ian Scott
Central Blue Mountains Rotary
Qualified MHFA Instructor