Page 11 - Rotary Matters - January 2021

Mental Health First Aid at Victor Harbor

President RC Victor Harbor, Julie Irwin, said
"Mental Health is something that touches all of us either through personal experience, with family or
friends or those in our community, we have a duty of care as Rotarians to open our minds to learn
and understand that we can make a difference to someone".

15 Rotarians and Michael Schubert from Business Victor Harbor attended a 2-day training session on
Mental Health First Aid recently. RC Goolwa President Wendy Lippett and Youth Services Director Averill Day
also attended.

Participants spent 12 hours over 2 days completing the course, provided by Mental Health Partners. to help
family, friends and those within the community. 1 in 5 are impacted by Mental Health and this is increasing.

The training was conducted by qualitied and experienced trainers.
Over 2 days participants were exposed to statistic and techniques to enable them to be able to assist those
in need, how to identify mental health symptoms and how to use appropriate terminology to provide help
and support for those in need. Key to this 2-day training session was how to access and know what
resources are available in this space.

Each participate was encourage to role play and practice how to use techniques and skills learnt during
the training. Nothing was sugar coated, it was cold hard facts an how to deal head on with knowledge
and understanding.

Participants in the photo are:

Ron Parker, Susan Alsford, Mark Irwin, Mark Cox, Rosanna Russo, Averill (Goolwa Rotary) Suzanne Heath,
Julie Irwin Wendy Lippett (President Goolwa Rotary) Judith Phillips, Anthony Lang, Michael Schubert
(Business VH) front row: Maxine Tibbs, Marty Alsford, Alan Mullins

Rotarians Wendy Lippett and Averill Day
RC Goolwa

Page 11