Earlier this year, we delivered a free, 2-day Mental Health First Aid program to 36 young, LGBTQIA+ people from right across Melbourne which proved to be so effective we're taking the program on the road headed for Wodonga-Albury this March!

In their statistical “Snapshot” (April 2021), LGBTQIA+ Health Australia highlighted that 63.8% of LGBTQI+ people aged 14 – 21 reported a mental health diagnosis, compared to 45.5% of their hetero peers. Plus, the fact that 71% of young, queer folk did not use a crisis support service during their most recent mental health crisis is even more concerning.

Our LGBTQI+ Mental Health First Aid training program is equipping dozens of young, LGBTQI+ people with evidence-based skills and knowledge to spot the signs, have the important conversations and support their peers to access critical mental health services through this cost-free program. Through this program, individuals will have the opportunity to obtain an official MHFA Australia accredited training certificate.

Delivered in collaboration with the wholly queer-owned, The Mental Health Coach, the program includes a specialised LGBTQI+ focus highlighting the unique mental health support needs and experiences of young, LGBTQI+ people. Each participant will be able to access free mentoring for up to 6-months to reaffirm their confidence, support with implementing their new skills, and share hands-on guidance.

Pictured here: Participants from an earlier LGBTQI+ Mental Health First Aid session in 2022

Participants from training already delivered showed that individuals' confidence in being able to effectively help someone with mental health problems increased from somewhat confident to extremely confident after completing the LGBTQI+ Mental Health First Aid training.

One of the participants shared this comment of their experience, "crisis and mental health emergencies can occur at any time in different situations, and most of us don't know how to react or assist - even though we want to. The training changes that."

NEXT METRO COURSE: TBC 2023

NEXT REGIONAL COURSE: in-person on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 01 March 2023 in Wondoga/Albury.

Participants must be aged 18 - 25, reside or work in Victoria or the Albury/Wodonga area, and identify as an LGBTQI+ young person (or questioning if you might be), or work directly with LGBTQI+ young people.

Expressions of interest are now open - click here to apply!

For more information on the program, please contact Nick McEwan Hall (LGBTQI+ Programs Manager) at [email protected].

This project has been funded by Youth Affairs Council Victoria’s Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) grants program.

HEY is proudly funded and supported by the Victorian Government.