LEONGATHA RSL have taken the lead in mental health first aid for the region, and even further afield, as they host their first publicly accessible mental health first aid training course.
The course, open to those affiliated with the veteran community, including veterans themselves and/or those in their family, friendship, employment and healthcare circles.
Funded by the Department of Veteran Affairs, the free course, usually held online, will see a mix of online learning and interactive workshops in Leongatha with an experienced facilitator that will provide individuals with the tools to be able to apply, identify and assist any person that is showing signs of mental issues.
General Manager of Leongatha RSL, Greg Nugent is one of those who recently completed the training ahead of the upcoming program.
“It’s very worthwhile,” Mr Nugent stated.
“It changed how I approach mental health and how I look for trigger points.
“Families, workmates, friends are on the front line in supporting people that are experiencing mental health issues. This course provided tools to assist in what is sometimes a very stressful role.”
Having used his new skills already, Mr Nugent is quick to point out that the course is similar to that of a St John’s qualification and highly valuable.
“This does not give someone the capabilities to be a clinician, it does however, provide the skills to identify where people need help.
“People are familiar with the idea of physical first aid courses to respond to life-threatening emergencies, this adopts a similar approach for mental health.”
A triage for mental health.
“The more people who are trained in this field, the better off we are, particularly in the veteran community. Everyone is better off.”
There is no denying the importance of mental wellbeing, particularly in the veteran and service communities.
The final report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide revealed “that ex-serving ADF members who served in the permanent forces had higher rates of long-term mental health conditions, and ‘deaths of despair’, which refers to deaths caused by suicide, drug or alcohol poisoning, chronic liver disease, or cirrhosis. Males and females who served in the permanent forces are 21 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively, more likely to die by deaths of despair than Australian males and females.”
Through research findings and data, the Commission found that “suicide is not a reflection of the character of an individual or indicative of an inherent deficit in their psyche or moral framework,” and “risk factors for suicide and suicidality are diverse. They can be physical (for example, the onset of pain or injury), psychological (including mental ill health, substance abuse or poor emotional regulation) and psychosocial (including problems within relationships, troubled family history and a lack of connection with community).”
Furthermore, the latest National Health Survey (2020-21) study found that, “male veterans were more likely to report a current and long-term mental or behavioural condition than males in the non-veteran population (27 per cent compared with 17 per cent, respectively). In particular, they were nearly twice as likely (21 per cent) to report having a long-term anxiety-related disorder compared with males in the non-veteran population (11 per cent) (AIHW analysis of ABS 2023).”
The RSL are hosting an information session at Leongatha RSL on Tuesday, April 29 at 11am, with people encouraged to come along and ask questions.
“Interested individuals will find out what the course looks like and how to undertake it, we will also be able to answer any questions people may have,” Mr Nugent said.
“We would like to thank the DVA for allowing us to offer this course free of charge and acknowledge Leongatha RSL who have contributed to the space and facilitator.”
With limited places available, contact course coordinator on 0429 863 228 or scan the QR code in the ad beside.
If this material raises concerns for you, support is available. Please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Defence All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036, or Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling (openarms.gov.au), available 24/7 to anyone who has served one day of continuous full-time service in the ADF and their immediate families.
