Crisis training for residents

Focus is on emotional and wellbeing

l PARRAMATTA PARK

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

A WORKSHOP, created by Sydney-based organisation Human Connections, is coming to Cairns this August to teach dayto-day residents how to react and support their loved ones, friends or colleagues when they’re going through emotional and mental distress.

St Augustine’s College will host the Accidental Counsellor Training on August 14, a workshop that aims to prepare teachers, community service workers, allied health professionals and individuals who are faced with others’ emotional distress in their personal and professional environment.

The workshop is aimed at people ages 18 and over.

Human Connections and the Accidental Counsellor Training founder Rocky Biasi said the workshop would provide people with the skills to properly react to crisis situations.

“The Accidental Counsellor Training came from my experience as a high school teacher and school counsellor,” he said.

“I could just see that there was a need for people who are not trained counsellors but are often responding to people who were distressed. Sometimes we mean well, and try to give advice and that’s not the best way to go about it, it can create more harm than good.

“Even though they mean well, because they’re not trained it can be harmful and that’s why we created the training.”

Mr Biasi said it was critical bringing such programs to the Far North and regional areas where isolation and access to mental health services could be more difficult.

“Accessing professional services can be more challenging in regional areas, so we wanted to bring this to communities that normally don’t have these resources,” he said. “The training focuses on empowering participants with practical skills that they can use to positively influence conversations and support those in need, even in the most emotionally charged situations.

“The sessions are designed to develop the participants’ emotional intelligence and help them manage their emotional wellbeing, ensuring that they do not burn out.”

There are still slots available for Cairns and FNQ residents interested in learning critical skills to better support people in distress.

“This is a call for anyone who’s interested in mental health, their own and others, this is for them. It will give them skills and ideas on how to support other people with their mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

“Participants will receive a 12-month free subscription to our online course library, with over 70 mental health and wellbeing courses.”

To buy tickets, visit https://bit.ly/45d9o8F and for more information, go to www.humanconnections.com.au.

Work has started on five new affordable housing units at Mareeba Picture: Supplied