Black Dog Ride Building Mental Health Literacy in Regional WA
Black Dog Ride has funded the training of 17 Denmark WA volunteers in Mental Health First Aid! Driven by Black Dog Ride's community advocates who sought to strengthen suicide prevention in their town, funds were raised to train these 17 volunteers plus more in the months to come!
The town of Denmark in southern WA have been passionate supporters and friends of Black Dog Ride since the beginning, so we were ecstatic when they wanted to organise a 1 Dayer for 2016.
When asked what mental health service they wanted to direct 1 Dayer donations to, the team told us they wanted to fund local volunteers in Mental Health First Aid. Given the Denmark Bush Fire Brigade had been involved in the recent Esperance and Yarloop bushfire tragedies, and the value in providing accredited Mental Health First Aiders to regional communities, we enthustiastically gave the thumbs up.
On 25th & 26th June, 17 locals were trained in MHFA by Black Dog Rider and MHFA Instructor Graeme Raine, with another course lined up soon. We're overwhelmed with pride for this small but strong community in taking the lead to build regional mental health literacy and adding to their local suicide prevention toolbox. Whether at work, volunteering, or at play, these 17 Mental Health First Aiders are now able to identify a mental health crisis and provide appropriate first aid.
Special mention must go to Black Dog Riders Rog and Bev Seeney, Chris Sainty, Tony Farrell, and Rob Woods - their dedication to suicide prevention made this happen. Congratulations to all the new Mental Health First Aiders!
To find out how you can book a Mental Health First Aid course for your friends, click here.
