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Wellsprings for Women has won ‘gold’ accreditation for mental health first aid skills.
The Dandenong service provider achieved a Gold Mental Health First Aid Skilled Workplace from the Mental Health First Aid Foundation.
Chief executive Dalal Smiley said it recognised the “significant achievements in developing Mental Health First Aid skills in our staff and volunteers”.
In 2020, Wellsprings’ two qualified MHFA instructors held 14 training sessions for 156 people.
Other workplace training at Wellsprings includes a self-paced online course for tutors on trauma-informed adult education and a free self-care course.
Wellsprings has also helped Monash Health set up a pilot model peer-support MHFA program in the South East.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A cash-strapped family violence service in Dandenong has a “glimmer of hope” after a meeting with Family Violence Prevention and Womens Minister Gabrielle Williams.
Wellsprings for Women recently called for $330,000 to help its case management service to continue supporting more than 100 women and families.
Chief executive Dalal Smiley said the meeting with Ms Williams on 5 March was “very positive”.
“Wellsprings will be meeting next with Family Safety Victoria to discuss our funding opportunities
“So nothing is in concrete as yet, but a glimmer of hope is definitely there.”
Ms Smiley said Wellsprings stressed how it was different to other service providers. The service argues that it is able to uniquely reach migrant women, overcome cultural barriers and make them comfortable enough to ask for help.