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December 2016

Principles for financial professionals and
mental health recently published


MHFA Australia has recently published a set of Principles for financial institutions staff, financial counsellors and mental health professionals.

Working With People with Mental Health Problems and Financial Difficulties: Principles for Financial Institution Staff, Financial Counsellors and Mental Health Professionals have been developed as a general guide for the best way to work with and support a person who is experiencing mental health problems and financial difficulties. They are suitable for use by financial counsellors, financial institution staff and mental health professionals.


This project was funded by NAB, ANZ, Westpac and beyondblue.

New courses planned in 2017 - watch this space!

  1. 4th edition Standard and Youth MHFA Courses (February)
  2. 4-hour MHFA for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicidal Person Course (February) 
  3. 3rd edition Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Course (July)
  4. 12-hour MHFA for the Older Person Course MHFA (July)
  5. 4-hour MHFA for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person Engaging in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Course (July)
  6. 4-hour MHFA for the Person Engaging in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Course (August)
  7. Blended Youth MHFA Course (October).

Major developments for teen MHFA in 2017

From 2017, people in the community who are not Youth MHFA instructors will be able to train as teen MHFA instructors, and deliver the teen MHFA course with the support of a Youth MHFA instructor.

We will also launch the second teen program, for students in Years 7-9, and undertake an uncontrolled trial of the course across four Victorian schools
thanks to funding from the Ian Potter Foundation. 
 
Finally, with our partners at the University of Melbourne, we will be extending the randomised controlled trial of the teen MHFA program for students in
years 10-12 thanks to funding from the NHMRC.
 
teen MHFA Instructor Training Dates

Betty Kitchener an Australian Mental Health Prize finalist 

A few weeks ago our CEO Betty Kitchener AM and Professor Tony Jorm MHFA (pictured with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Ita Buttrose) co-founders attended the UNSW's Australian Mental Health Prize event. Betty Kitchener was one of seven finalists, with the award going to Kim Ryan. Congratulations to Kim and thank you for your advocacy on behalf of mental health nurses. Read more.

Welcome our newest member of the board 

Ben Stretch recently joined the MHFA Australia Board of Directors. He is a Principal in the Sydney office of global management consulting firm, The Boston Consulting Group. He is a core member of BCG’s Corporate Development, Financial Institutions and Principal Investors & Private Equity practice areas. Ben brings significant expertise and global experience from serving clients in the United States, Europe, Africa and across Asia-Pacific. Read more.

Founding CEO Betty Kitchener steps down and takes on new role

At the end of this year, Betty Kitchener is choosing to step down from her role as CEO and the Board of MHFA Australia will be appointing a new CEO in the new year. In the meantime, Nataly Bovopoulos (Deputy CEO) will be acting in the CEO role from 1 January 2017.

In 2017, Betty will focus her skills in finalising and rolling out the Older Person MHFA Course, as well as retaining her role on the MHFA Australia Board of Directors. 

Early in 2017, a celebration will be held to acknowledge Betty's contributions and for Betty to thank the MHFA staff for their work. If you'd like to send a word of thanks, story or photo for a gift we are preparing for Betty please email us.

Dr Claire Kelly a key speaker for 2017 GenNext 2017 events 

We are pleased to announce our Youth Program Manager, Claire Kelly as key speaker for the GenNext 2017 events.

Claire will be featuring at the following events:
• 26 May - Brisbane        • 2 June - Perth        
• 9 June - Canberra        • 16 June - Melbourne    
• 28 July - Adelaide         • 4 August - Sydney


These events are a great way to network and meet other industry professionals, if you're able to make one of these events we highly encourage you to attend.

Are you looking for work as a research assistant? 


Don't forget to include your MHFA certificate and accreditation to your CV. Having a research assistant with MHFA skills will reduce the chances of adverse mental health events during a study. MHFA skills can also strengthen the distress protocol, which will increase the chances of receiving ethics approval.

MHFA Australia campaign video


Have you seen the MHFA Australia video introducing some of our MHFA Instructors around Australia? This video was made as part of our Mental Health Week Campaign. View here.

Special thanks to all the MHFA Instructors who contributed.

Ride for youth raising money for local
mental health services

 
Morgan Pilley, a professional mountainbiker racing for the Italian team Haibike Lawley Team, is riding non-stop for 24 hours around the Junction Hill Criterium Track, in the north-east NSW, in his Ride For Youth to raise money for local mental health services and Youth MHFA courses. Find out more.

MHFA Australia is thankful for Morgan’s support!
 
Make donations for Morgans' campaign

AFL Football Legend Austinn “Aussie” Jones promoting MHFA 

 
FORMER AFL footballer Austinn “Aussie” Jones has partnered with Berwick Rotary to promote mental health awareness among the Casey-Cardinia sport community south-east of Melbourne. Jones will lead Rotary’s vision to train all coaches across the shire in MHFA. Berwick Rotary’s Vivienne Armstrong was recently interviewed saying “It is hoped all sporting clubs will see mental health first aid training as a valuable resource as trained personnel will be able to identify those who are struggling with stress or may need guidance from other sources” . 

“Together we are hoping to see mental health first aid become a requirement just as first aid is now.”
Read the full article here.

nib Foundation funding MHFA courses
in regional NSW high school


Congratulations to Upper Hunter Community Services in NSW who have been successful in receiving a community grant from nib Foundation to enable teen MHFA to be delivered to 259 students in years 10 and 11, and Youth MHFA to 40 parents, carers and teachers of Muswellbrook High School. Read more here.

Christmas in the park with the MHFA Australia team

Our opening hours over the festive season

MHFA Australia offices will close on 2pm AEST 23rd December 2016 and re-open 9am 3rd January 2017. Please allow a little extra time for delivery if you are ordering materials over the holiday period. 

 2017 Instructor Training


Do you have experience in mental health and training?

Apply to become an Instructor!

standard     youth     aboriginal   teen

MHFA runs Instructor Training courses nationally in most state capital cities. 
View our current Instructor Training Course calendar
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