Public demand could bring St John Mental Health First Aid course to Whanganui

St John is responding to a growing number of mental health-related calls.

St John's new Mental Health First Aid training course could be offered in Whanganui if there is demand from the public or businesses.

The one-day workshop aims to remove the stigma and make people as comfortable about discussing mental health as they are with physical health.

"St John ambulance officers are the eyes and ears of the health system and are responding to growing numbers of mental health-related call-outs year on year," St John National Programme and Development Manager Gabrielle Wildbore said.

"Many of these call-outs are people in a state of crisis. The provision of Mental Health First Aid aims to facilitate open conversations early and highlight agencies who can help to help prevent people from reaching that crisis point.

"We've developed Mental Health First Aid to play our part in giving Kiwis a framework and the confidence to have these conversations, to know that they are doing the right thing in offering initial support and also to know how to direct people to professional help."

The course provides a basic understanding of the relationship between mental health and disorder, potential red flags, strategies for managing the initial support of friends, family and colleagues safely, and information on obtaining immediate assistance if necessary.

The course begins in the main centres in September. Although there is no course scheduled for Whanganui, St John spokesman Elliot Steel said it could be offered if people were interested.

"We will travel wherever there is demand to run a workshop," Steel said.

"Also businesses can book private courses anywhere in New Zealand."

Course bookings can be made online at www.stjohn.org.nz/MHFA. If your location does not appear in the booking system, phone 0800 FIRST AID (0800 347 782).