THE FACTS

if you can't afford the fee please pick a concession ticket. There are 5 available. Don't let cost be a barrier, just email the host and we will facilitate it anonymously.

This course is scheduled for 12 hours of face to face instruction

2 day course Saturday and Sunday

To get the certificate participants will need to be present both days

Morning tea and lunch will be provided

MHFA manual will be provided free of cost

Sydney Community Safe Space Inc

We are delighted to offer Mental Health First Aid to the community so that we can grow the mental health IQ in our community to better support our friends, family, colleagues or anyone we meet in our daily lives. It increases participants' knowledge regarding mental health, decreases their negative attitudes, and increases supportive behaviours toward individuals with mental health problems.

Our goal for 2023 is to build the mental resilience in the community and help reduce the stigma associated with mental distress. We want to deliver bespoke, highly researched health and wellbeing events, because what we have found in our time operating the Safe Space is that when a person is accompanied by someone that is supporting them, it invites more meaningful and deep listening conversations which results in better outcomes for the guests.

We would like to thank South's Juniors providing the venue and food. Also the funding for the course was raised at World Suicide Prevention Day last year and a generous donation from Vaughan Civil.

OUR FACILITATOR

Ross Durkin Founder Gurkin Head

Ross holds a Bachelor of Counselling and is an accredited Mental Health First Aid Australia facilitator. He has previously worked for Wesley MIssion delivering their suicide prevention program to communities called Life Force, and currently works for LifeLIne as a community coordinator. He previously had a corporate career in sales working for companies such as Staples and Education Experience where he was National Sales Manager.

A keen rugby league tragic he has coached his sons teams at Coogee Wombats, Bondi United and also played First grade for Bondi United many moons ago. Ross brings a lived experience approach to the way he delivers this course and has over 20 years free from gambling and almost the same with alcohol.

Sydney Community Safe Space Inc.

In 2023 we are hoping to open a Safe Space in Randwick that will be an alternative to the emergency department for people experiencing suicidal action, thoughts or behaviours and mental distress.. It is a non clinical space led by peer workers who have their own lived experience. We opened one in the Inner West in 2021 and it has been very successful in delivering the service the community wants.