Employees of Molong farm machinery manufacturer, Davimac Group, are now equipped with the practical skills to provide mental health first aid to someone who is feeling suicidal after completing a specialised TAFE NSW short course.

According to Lifeline, suicide remains the leading cause of death in Australia with an average of eight deaths per day.

Lifeline statistics also reveal deaths by suicide in Australia occur among males at a rate three times greater than that for females, and the suicide rate amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is more than double the national rate.

At Friday’s course graduation, Davimac Group Human Resources Manager, Jane Weekes, said, “Completing the Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person course certainly helped raise everyone’s awareness about this sensitive topic in a proactive manner.”

“The feedback from participants was positive - we learnt that mental health, and in particular suicide, is a major issue that people are dealing with in today’s society.

“The course was informative and our decision to engage industry professionals, TAFE NSW, to deliver the training has certainly achieved a positive result within our ongoing Employee Assistance Program.

“We have a great team at Davimac and feel the training will give our employees the tools to be able to help themselves or someone else, if they ever find themselves in this situation. Even if this training only ever helps one person, the course was worthwhile in every aspect.”

TAFE NSW Community Services Head Teacher, Sharna Dean, said this was a positive example of how TAFE NSW delivers specialised training catered to suit the individual needs of local business.

“The content of the Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person course can be a little confronting, but it’s really important more workplaces in the Central West start encouraging their employees to start this vitally important and potentially life-saving conversation,” Ms Dean said.

For information on a range of specialised mental health training options and courses, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.