
Authors: Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Greater Western Area Health Service NSW Health (Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol), NSW Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
Year: 2010
Event: 2010 TheMHS Awards
Subject:
Type of resource: TheMHS Awards
Award state: National
Award level: Finalist
Award category: Mental Health Promotion or Mental Illness Prevention Program or Project
Abstract: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Training and Research (AMHFA) Program is a culturally adapted version of the internationally acclaimed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training and Research Program www.mhfa.com.au developed by Betty Kitchener & Professor Tony Jorm in 2000. The AMHFA 14-hour training course and associated research program helps to overcome the stigma and shame relating to mental health problems in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The program also assists individuals, families and communities to recognise mental health problems and to seek the right sort of help early. The culturally adapted program evolved over a six year period and involved extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations nationally. A range of culturally appropriate course materials, and AMHFA Guidelines were developed. 200 AMHFA instructors were trained as AMHFA instructors. The instructors provide AMHFA courses to communities and organisations nationally. Description of Facility/Organisation: Orygen Youth Health Research Centre (OYH-RC) - Australia's largest youth mental health research centre. Current research program aims to understand the biological, psychological and social factors that influence onset, remission and relapse of mental illnesses in order to find better ways to prevent and/or reduce the impact of mental disorders for young people. NSW Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) - A major rural initiative of The University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health and the NSW Department of Health. CRRMH aims to bring quality education and research programs to all rural areas of NSW through effective partnerships. Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) - Largest health service in NSW. Population is dispersed across 444,586 square kilometres. Representing more than 55 per cent of NSW. Affiliated with the University of Sydney Medical School. Home to the University Department of Rural Health in Broken Hill, the NSW Rural Institute of Clinical Research and Training and the NSW CRRMH.
This resource is only available for subscribers. If you have a subscription, please log in. Otherwise, click here to purchase a subscription.