MHACA’s Health Promotion Unit delivers community campaigns to increase protective factors and healthy behaviours that can help prevent the onset of mental illness and the incidence of suicide in our community.
For people who have mental health challenges, health promotion can provide a better understanding of conditions and services, key lifestyle interventions and tools that empower individuals, families and carers to make informed choices that support recovery and active, meaningful lives.
Reducing stigma, improving mental health literacy and encouraging people to take action early for mental health difficulties reduces pressure on health and crisis services, and supports recovery processes.
MHACA also promotes lifestyle interventions to support good mental health and wellbeing through the Healthy Bodies Support Healthy Minds Program.
MHACA has a strong presence in the Central Australian community and facilitates a number of networks, community events and training throughout the year.
MHACA facilitates the Alice Springs Mental Health Professionals Interagency, a bimonthly meeting of mental health professionals to discuss emerging issues and supports available from local services. Please email healthpromotion@mhaca.org.au if you would like to be placed on the email list.
MHACA is also a member of the NT Mental Health Week Committee, Alice Springs NAIDOC Week Committee and facilitates community events including Mental Health Week, World Suicide Prevention Day, and Schizophrenia Awareness Week.
Suicide Prevention
MHACA has held a leading role in suicide prevention work in Central Australia since 2001 through connecting community members and organisations and providing training.
In the Northern Territory close to 50 people die by suicide each year with significant numbers of people attempting suicide and many others impacted by suicide and suicidal behaviour. It is the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 44 years with men more than three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Rates of suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are double the rate for non-indigenous people.
MHACA facilitates the Central Australian Life Promotion Network (LPN), a network which keeps community conversations happening on preventing suicide and also meets bimonthly. Please email healthpromotion@mhaca.org.au if you would like to be placed on the email list.
MHACA also delivers a short workshop Observe Respond Support – Suicide Prevention Skills for central Australian organisations and community groups.
Mental Health Resources
MHACA is improving mental health literacy in Central Australia through the development and distribution of resources encouraging community members to understand support options and seek help early for mental health challenges.
These printed resources can be downloaded:
- Need Support For Your Mental Health?
- Feeling Sad Or Worried?
- Support for Parents with Teenagers in Crisis
- Supporting Your Mental Health As A Carer
- Taking Care of Worries
- Healthy Bodies Support Healthy Minds
We have also developed short co-designed mental health animations for Aboriginal community members that address shame and encourage help seeking. These animations have been translated into the Arrernte language. View the animations in our resources section.
Training and Workshops
MHACA delivers the Central Australia Suicide Prevention Training Program. The program delivers culturally appropriate training that develops awareness, knowledge and skills around strategies that reduce suicide and self-harming behaviour in the community. The training is delivered to government and non-government organisations, the general public and target communities and high-risk groups. It includes:
- ASIST
- SafeTALK
- Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid
- Standard Mental Health First Aid
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
MHACA also delivers two short workshops – Mental Health in the Workplace and Observe Respond Support – Suicide Prevention Skills. Both workshops are free and can be delivered in person in Alice Springs or online via ZOOM.
Please email training@mhaca.org.au to enquire about our free workshops or accredited mental health training.
Upcoming training and workshops will be advertised on our website and on our Facebook Page.