By BEN CAMERON
SIX Outlook staff members will be able to identify and respond to the early signs of mental illness through a State Government grant.
Outlook is one of 60 community organisations across the state to receive a Mental Health First Aid training grant.
Outlook manager of Community Services Julie Walton said six staff, including herself, would complete the training.
“Mental health is on the rise in the area, and this training will assist us to identify symptoms in people who need extra support and enable us to help them appropriately. We want to make sure we’re supporting people in the right way,” she said.
“So many community members visit both our Community Centre and Neighbourhood House looking for help.
“We assist a lot of people who are returning to work, and quite often when you’re dealing with injury or you’re out of work, mental health issues can arise.
“Whether it is out staff or community members, we want to make sure we are equipped to help people as best we can. The more training we’ve got to help us do this, the better.”
Liberal candidate for Bass Brian Paynter said with mental illness affecting one in five people at some stage of their life, it was a great result for Cardinia Shire residents.
“The training will give people the skills and capacity to recognise a mental health issue and help adults and young people with emerging mental illness until professional help is available,” he said.
Training is expected to commence next year.
