In Deniliquin, just like the rest of Australia, mental health challenges are real and common.
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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% of our adult population. Deni MHAG’ goal is to have 20% of our 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 our goal of having 20% of our adult population trained and enhancing mental health literacy, building capacity and support help seeking behaviours.
With the incredible support from our 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 are being delivered on the Thursday and Friday, 26th and 27th February and registrations remain open for adults 18 years and older. Anyone wanting to learn skills to support our youth is welcome to enroll.
Deni MHAG was also successful in obtaining a “in a Good Place” FRRR Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal) grant to deliver Adult or Standard MHFA training across the ERC footprint, including our villages.
The first of these courses will be delivered on the Thursday and Friday, 19th and 20th of March.
This course is open to any adults wanting 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 or visit https://www.denimentalhealth.org.au/training
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