$2.4m mental health training program for remote communities launched

A $2.4million mental health first aid training program aiming at reducing indigenous suicide in remote communities will be launched in Broome today.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion is expected to announce the roll-out of the scheme this morning developed to tackle high rates of suicide in the Kimberley.

The early intervention program will involve training school attendance officers in remote schools and Community Development Programme job-seekers in indigenous mental health first aid, with an initial focus on 15 high-risk locations.

A two-day intensive course will provides participants with an understanding of mental illness, an insight into the minds of sufferers and knowledge about how to provide immediate assistance.

Funding for the project is through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy and has been devised to complement the Government’s $1 million Critical Response Project launched late last year.

Mr Scullion said early intervention was key to preventing suicide and self-harm.

“Tragically, there is still a widespread stigma associated with mental health and this is preventing many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from seeking and accessing early help,” he said.

“The rollout of this tailor-made mental health first aid training in remote communities will help to turn this around and ensure early intervention.”

Mr Scullion said around 450 local Remote School Attendance Strategy school attendance officers would be equipped to identify early warning signs of mental health issues through the program.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.