The $250,000 plan will be coordinated by peak body Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA), and funded by the NSW Government.
Recognising common symptoms
The training will provide youth workers with the skills and confidence to recognise the symptoms of common mental health problems. They will also be trained to respond effectively.
Age appropriate support
According to statistics from the Mental Health Commission of NSW, 75% of people with mental illnesses manifest before the age of 24, with 50% manifesting before the age of 14. Under the new plan youth workers will be better equipped to identify mental health problems at an earlier stage. This will help maximise the level of age-appropriate support that can be delivered.
Pivotal role
Youth workers play a crucial role in helping children and young people make sense of the world around them. It is expected that the training will enable youth workers to provide potentially lifesaving support to young people across NSW.
More information about the MHFA courses can be found at: www.mhfa.com.au.