SINGAPORE – A mental health first aid course held recently at the parish of St. Mary of the Angels drew 34 participants.

The three-session 12-hour Australian developed course was conducted by Joachim Lee, a qualified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor, and Director of Tampines Family Service Centre.

The programme was introduced here in Singapore in 2006. Changi General Hospital is the representative for MHFA (Singapore).

The course provides good training for those in Small Christian Communities to reach out to mental illness victims in the neighbourhoods.

The Singapore Pastoral Institute is organizing this course. Course participants received a certificate issued by MHFA (Singapore). They found the course educational and useful.

One participant recommended that all priests and pastoral workers attend it since they were likely to encounter people with mental health problems in the course of their pastoral ministry.

Another suggested that the course should be held in more churches to create more awareness of mental health issues.

For those interested, the next Mental Health First Aid course will be held at Church of the Risen Christ on May 24 and 25, 9.30am to 3.30pm. Cost: $150 (includes manual, lunch and tea). Certificate will be given upon completion of this 12-hour programme.

Contact Singapore Pastoral Institute at 6858 3011 or email spi@catholic.org.sg.