Federation Council, in partnership with the Corowa Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) and the Corowa Lions Club, is pleased to announce a new initiative to provide fully subsidised Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training and resources to the community.
With the mental health of young people remaining a top priority for the community, Vibe Check Youth Mental Health Initiative aims to equip adults with the necessary tools to recognise early warning signs of mental health challenges and provide confident, evidence-based support.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is about more than just crisis response; it's about early intervention and starting supportive conversations," said Corowa LHAC Chair, Anne Wescott.
"By offering this training for free, we are ensuring that our community members are prepared to guide our youth toward the right help at the right time," said Anne.
The 14-hour course, led by licensed MHFA Instructor John Dean from Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), is designed for anyone over 18 who engages with young people aged 12-18. This includes parents, carers, teachers, sporting club volunteers, community leaders, and local employers.
The training covers key areas including:
Identifying symptoms of common mental health problems in adolescents.
Distinguishing between normal development and emerging illnesses.
Implementing an evidence-based action plan for mental health support.
Navigating local professional help and support networks.
To ensure the training is accessible to as many people as possible, sessions will be offered in Corowa, Mulwala, Howlong, and Urana. While the primary format consists of a two-day weekend intensive, we are also offering alternative delivery options-including weeknight sessions and blended online/video conferencing formats - based on community interest.
This initiative is part of the Vibe Check Youth Mental Health Intervention Project supported by firsthealth Limited and Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network Community Grants through the Australian Government's PHN program.
