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Young Leaders Complete Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Illness Starts Young

CLOSE to 50% of all mental health issues develop by the age of 18.

75% are developed by the age of 25, according to the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being.

With these statistics in mind, the region’s youth are becoming increasingly aware of mental illnesses and now they are learning to help deal with them.

A Group of young people from the Northern Rivers Youth Advisory Council and the Fresh Fruits Youth Group have finished their Youth Mental Health Firs Aid Course in Lismore

The two-day course covered depression, anxiety, psychosis, self-harm and substance misuse, issues that commonly arise in the younger community.

As the co-chair of Fresh Fruits, the under-25′s sub-group attached to the Northern Rivers’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) support network Tropical Fruits, Aura-Lea Withers, 23, often helps youth who are struggling not only with the “angst” all teens experience but the questioning of their sexuality.

“Unfortunately there is a high rate of suicide in the LGBT community,” she said.

“Youth in general deserve and need a support team around them whether that is their parents or friends. I would have loved someone to have (the skills I have learnt) when I was going through a tough time.”

Northern Rivers Youth Advisory Council member, Neil Hendriks, who is also the co-chair of the Fresh Fruits Youth Group, said mental health and substance misuse was a huge issue for young people in the Northern Rivers region, especially in the LGBT community.

“Being in Fresh Fruits, I often see youth upset or emotional, whether it is at the group or on Facebook,” he said.

“In the past I would have not been sure about whether I should approach them but now I have done the course, I would be confident in the situation.”

MindRightInstitute director, Nicqui Yazdi, who conducted the course, said 16 to 24-year-olds rarely asked for mental health help when they needed it.

“…rarely do they ever get medical attention let alone for mental health,” she explained.

“They fall through the cracks. They don’t get help from professionals when it’s needed. But they are really good at helping their friends.

“If young people do this training, then it means they know the stuff to help their friends out.”

Source: Northern Star  28/1/12     Journalist: Ava Benny-Morrison

For more information on the Standard or Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Programs conducted by Nicqui Yazdi and the MindRight Institute, you can contact Nicqui on 0402013177 or email nicquiyazdi@yahoo.com.au    OR   go to one of the sites below for further information.

The MindRight Institute – Byron Bay – First to see the light… is on Facebook , go to ~

http://www.facebook.com/mindrightinstitute

To find out more about the MindRight Institute and their courses, go to their website ~

http://www.mindrightinstitute.com.au/

For more information on Mental Health First Aid Australia, their training programs, guidelines project, or to find an accredited instructor in your area go to ~

http://www.mhfa.com.au/

Posted: Saturday, January 28th, 2012 Under: Business, Byron Bay, Council News, Help, Lismore, Mullumbimby, News, People, Sources, Street Scene, Tweed Shire, activism, ballina, culture, education, emergency information, health, indigenous culture, mental health, volunteers, youth. | Home |

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