Rob Costello

In September 2010, Rob attended a 2-day MHFA course presented by MHFA Instructor Caddie Marshall at Breakthru People Solutions Charlestown.

"The MHFA course is one of the most informative, relevant, well presented and enjoyable courses I have ever completed. I have been working in the job network industry for 9.5 years, working predominantly with long term highly disadvantaged jobseekers and currently with jobseekers that have been deemed as suitable for Disability Employment Services. These clients suffer from either physical, mental health disabilities, or both. Over the years I have attended many training courses, however this particular course has given me a much better understanding of people who sadly suffer from mental health issues. During this course I was able to draw from the Instructor’s knowledge, knowledge that I am sure can only be of benefit to me in helping my clients achieve positive outcomes in the future."

Jennie Thomas

Jennie’s relationship with MHFA goes back to the beginning with Tony and Betty (the developers of MHFA). Jennie funded the first manual in memory of her late husband, who took his own life.

"Wherever I go anywhere in the world, I mention MHFA and I cannot tell you the number of times people have said they have done the course or know someone who has. Every one of them gives a glowing report. Recently at a function I attended, when the conversation turned to mental health issues, four different people offered the fact that they had done MHFA and thought it was the best mental health awareness program around. They were suggesting that others do it. I hadn’t even said a word to that point. But my face glowed with pride and someone asked me why I was smiling so broadly. That was a very special moment. I am so proud of Betty Kitchener and Tony Jorm, developers of the MHFA program. I recently gave a talk to a Women’s Probus Group and the subject was ‘women who inspire me.’ I began with Betty. So many of the women thanked me and were interested in hearing more about MHFA."

Gail Harrower

Gail is the General Manager of James Cook University’s Halls of Residence. In 2010, they organised for their Residential Assistants (in-house pastoral care team) to undertake MHFA.

"We recognise that many of our 770 residents at the James Cook University’s Halls of Residence feel stress at some time but also come from vastly different backgrounds and experiences. The MHFA training has proven extremely helpful not only for our residents but also as a support measure for our teams – to allow them to know how to handle various situations. MHFA is now part of our annual training program. Thank you to the Instructor, Naomi, for a down-to-earth presentation."

Joanne Lockhart

Joanne is a MHFA Instructor who trained in 2009 with trainers Narelle Heywood and Susan Goldie.

"You’ll never believe it, but on my first day back at work after the Standard MHFA Instructor training, I took a call from a man who was suicidal. The training helped SO MUCH! That must be the fastest turn around for implementing training ever???"

Geoffrey Ahern

Geoffrey became accredited as a MHFA Instructor in March 2009. He finds teaching MHFA very rewarding.

"I know I’ve said this before, but thank you so so much for this course. I love teaching it and I love hearing people’s stories, their triumphs, their pain, their frustrations. What has amazed me is that so many men come and talk to me during the breaks and after the course about things like anxiety and sexual abuse. It has been such a privilege to spend time with them and be trusted. During a recent course, four of the participants had lost teenage/young sons to suicide so the suicide stuff we covered was extremely hard for them but in many ways therapeutic. It was difficult to teach but most rewarding sharing their pain."