We are very proud to announce this initiative. As our President, Rob Emerson mentioned in his speech at our Annual Awards celebration on 7 June:
Mental Health issues amongst our communities’ youth seems unfortunately to be an epidemic, and our Newport village is not immune to this. And while we have experienced this in tragic circumstances over the last year I am proud that the club reaches out to ensure at the worst of times our young community members, regardless if they are members of the surf club or not, are coping with the grief.
Four consecutive Tuesdays | 6, 13, 20 & 27 August |
Candidates must attend all days of the course |
6.30 pm – 9:30 pm at Newport Surf Life Saving Club
Each year 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness. Many people are not knowledgeable or confident to offer assistance. Physical first aid is accepted and widespread in our community, however, most do not cover mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches people the skills to help someone who they’re concerned about. Completing an MHFA Course will help you to develop the skills to support a friend, family member or co-worker. Having mental health first aid skills means that you can assist someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis and make a real difference to your community.
Newport Surf Life Saving Club with the support of Strokes that Matter is running a Mental Health First Aid course running over four Tuesday nights: 6, 13, 20 & 27 August. This is an accredited course under the auspices of Mental Health First Aid Australia and all participants will receive a certificate on successful completion.
The course is facilitated by Barbara Simon, a Newport Surf Club member, a Social Worker, a Natural Therapist, Life Coach and Volunteer for Lifeline. Currently, she works as a Manager and Support Worker at South Pacific Private Hospital for drug and alcohol and Mental Health.
Normally these courses cost between $290- $350 however the Newport Surf Club via funding from Rotary Dee Why Warringah is offering this course for free to four of our members. As part of the club’s initiative to reach out, connect and support our Newport Community we are also offering this course to the Newport Rugby Club, Netball Club, Newport Plus Board Riders and the Heather Evans Dance Studio.
If you are interested in this course please contact Glen Borg [email protected].
