The Albanese Government is investing $7.37 million in the Mental Health First Aid Training Program to support medical, nursing, midwifery, and allied health students to manage their mental health. Importantly, the program will also train healthcare workers to identify distress amongst their peers.
Mental health, distress, and burnout are critical concerns among health professionals. They were particularly evident during the pandemic and have continued. The effect on services is substantial.
Between 2024 and 2027, it is expected that more than 115,000 students across the country will access training. There will be more than 24,000 students in this year alone.
The new funding expands upon previous mental health first aid training arrangements, which were only for medical students. More than 8,000 medical students - nearly all - accessed training. Students indicated they found the training helpful, informative, easy to understand and engaging.
The program will be run by Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ), which will engage Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFAA) to undertake the training.
The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences and the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery Australia and New Zealand have also partnered with MDANZ and MHFAA to facilitate the rollout of training across the range of health disciplines.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
"The Mental Health First Aid Training Program helps those who help us - equipping health students with the skills and confidence to identify and respond to the mental health needs of their patients and peers.
"Broadening the program across all health students will make a huge difference for them and their patients.
"It is vital that we give the same support to the people who look after us. They are central to the health and wellbeing of so many Australians."
