Deni Mental Health Awareness Group is aiming to have 20 per cent of the adult population participate in training courses so they can recognise early signs and potentially offer help.
It has already reached 17 per cent of the goal and will hold two courses in February and March.
Around one in five local adults will experience mental illness this year.
For young people aged 11 to 17, the numbers are even more confronting - almost two in five are dealing with high or very high levels of psychological distress.
Many of these struggles begin early. Half of all adult mental health conditions start before the age of 14.
Many people, young and old, don’t know where to turn, and those around them don’t always know how to help.
This is where Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) comes in.
MHFA is a practical, evidence-based training program that teaches everyday people how to:
- Recognise the early signs that someone may be struggling
- Offer calm, supportive help
- Connect them with professional support services
It works. MHFA has been shown to reduce suicide risk, encourage earlier help-seeking, and reduce stigma - especially when delivered within a local, familiar context.
Right now, around 950 adults in Deniliquin are trained in MHFA - that’s 17 per cent of our adult population.
The goal of Deni Mental Health Awareness Group is to have 20 per cent of the adult population trained in MHFA by the end of 2027.
That means more parents, teachers, coaches, neighbours and community members will know how to step in and support someone when it matters most.
Deni MHAG is ready to roll out these courses and work towards the goal of having 20 per cent of our adult population trained and enhancing mental health literacy, building capacity and support help seeking behaviours.
With the incredible support from the community, and the grit and determination by Brenda Norman (Channel4Change) attempting and succeeding in crossing the North Channel at the end of 2025, almost $15,000 was raised to deliver Youth MHFA courses.
The first of these free courses is being delivered on February 26 and 27 and registrations remain open for adults 18 years and older. Anyone wanting to learn skills to support our youth is welcome to enrol.
Deni MHAG was also successful in obtaining an ‘in a Good Place’ (Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal) grant to deliver adult or standard MHFA training across the Edward River Council footprint, including our villages.
The first of these courses will be delivered on March 19 and 20.
This course is open to any adults who want to learn skills to support adults across our community – whether it be a family member, a friend, a carer, a support worker, a workmate, an employee, employer or business owner.
To enrol in these courses or to make enquiries please email lourene@bigpond.com or denimhag@gmail.com.
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