Where There’s A Will brings mental health support to the Upper Hunter

Mental Health First Aid International recently joined ABC Upper Hunter to highlight the power of grassroots mental health support and the growing impact of MHFA training in rural and regional Australia.

Dr Jakqui Barnfield, Executive Director of International Programs, Quality and Research, spoke with ABC presenter Amelia Bernasconi about the work of Where There’s A Will, a local charity championing mental health literacy in the Upper Hunter.

Founded in 2016 by Upper Hunter local Pauline Carrigan, the charity was born from Pauline’s commitment to changing the narrative on suicide following the loss of her son Will.

Driven by her love for her community and a vision for a future where mental health is openly discussed and understood, Pauline set out to build a culture where young people are supported by care, connection and the confidence to seek help.

Where There’s A Will has now trained over 3,700 Upper Hunter locals trained in MHFA since 2016 – including school staff, business owners, young people, and sports club leaders. The region is one of many across Australia demonstrating the transformative power of community-led early intervention, promotion and prevention programs.

“it’s really powerful when Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is delivered as a whole-of-community approach,” Dr Barnfield said.

“By putting the delivery into local hands, the program becomes community led and community owned – and the community builds strong circles of support that reflect the needs of the real people on the ground.”

“You know yourselves better than anyone else. MHFA’s train-the-trainer model is really about empowering local organisations, local charities to deliver across their own local communities,” Dr Barnfield said.

Joe Lynch, WTAW Board Director and local wellbeing advocate, joined the conversation, reflecting on the change he’s seen since moving to the area four years ago.

“You walk into a school or a sports club here and people are speaking the same wellbeing language. It’s not just talk – it’s culture,” Lynch said.

“MHFA training has helped reduce stigma and empowered people to look out for one another. It’s had a ripple effect.”

“This ripple effect is amplified by the sustained efforts of schools and early learning centres across the Upper Hunter.” Pauline reflected post interview.

“Through positive education and wellbeing literacy, educators have long been nurturing emotional regulation, strengths-based thinking, relationship skills, coping strategies and healthy habits. These practices form the bedrock of a mentally healthy community and complement MHFA’s impact by embedding wellbeing into everyday learning and culture.”

As Mental Health First Aid continues to expand its reach, the Upper Hunter shows what’s possible when communities take the lead in mental health education and awareness.

“Despite so many people being trained, Mental Health First Aid remains one of Australia’s best-kept secrets,” Dr Barnfield said.

“We want to change that by showcasing real stories, real impact, and the very real difference mental health first aid conversations can make.”

Thanks to local organisations like Where There’s A Will, and dedicated advocates like Pauline Carrigan and Joe Lynch, more people in Upper Hunter know how to listen, support and act when it matters most.