MHSS equips you with essential skills to identify early onset mental illness, allowing for appropriate interventions and effective mental health support. These abilities are among the most crucial life skills you can possess and are a vital part of our Mental Health Social Support (MHSS) training, which includes innovative methods like LEGO therapy to enhance your learning experience.
Statistics on mental illness in Australia indicate that our mental health is deteriorating at a rapid and concerning pace. In fact, 45% of Australian adults will experience mental illness, and it is now the leading cause of healthy life lost. For instance, up to 50% of depressed individuals remain undiagnosed. This can lead to the progression of mental illness beyond necessary thresholds, complicating treatment and recovery significantly.
Recognizing the vital importance of mental health support, it is crucial to equip ourselves with practical knowledge so we can provide appropriate assistance to friends and family members in need. Being prepared can potentially save a person's life, especially in a critical situation. The core purposes of the 'Mental Health Social Support training program' are to:
- Equip people with fundamental skills to identify the early onset of mental illness.
- Provide appropriate support to someone developing a mental illness before, during, and after professional treatment.
- Assist individuals in accessing the right support for themselves and their families, including approaches like LEGO therapy, which can be particularly effective in facilitating communication and understanding.

MHSS covers the fundamental knowledge of mental health and evidence-based counselling skills, including the application of LEGO therapy for enhancing mental health support. You will learn how to: identify early indicators and symptoms of mental illnesses, appropriately support a person experiencing these challenges, and effectively approach and communicate with someone about potential mental health issues. Additionally, you will gain skills to support individuals through their treatment process, use basic counselling micro-skills, and apply effective listening techniques in the intervention process. This social support training also emphasizes providing comfort, encouragement, or practical guidance to those who need it most.

The Mental Health Social Support (MHSS) training course, which includes elements like LEGO therapy, is nationally accredited and recognized by several professional Associations for continuing and professional development points (OPD). This social support training is vital for enhancing mental health support in various fields.
The professional Associations currently endorsing the MHSS course include:
Australian Counselling Association (ACA): 28 OPD points
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW): 14 CPD hours
Australian Hypnotherapists Association (AHA): 16 OPD points
Australian College of Midwives (ACM): 14 MidPLUS points
Australian Practice Nurses Association (APNA): 14 CPD hours
Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN): 14 CPE points
Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA): 14 CPD hours
Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA): 12.5 CNE points
Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA): 5 CPE points
Australian Psychological Society (APS): 14 CPD hours

We understand that for some individuals, the cost of this course is a significant investment. However, when you compare it to the invaluable skills you will acquire—such as those gained through LEGO therapy and social support training—it's truly incomparable and well worth it.
Having the right skills and knowledge can empower you to save a life, potentially that of someone you hold dear. Everyone experiences both good and bad days, and some people may feel overwhelmed by life's challenges. It's essential to know how to effectively offer mental health support and to be present for those who need it most.
Never underestimate the impact of effective listening, a key skill you will learn in this course, as it can greatly transform lives. Life and well-being are irreplaceable, so seize this opportunity to enhance your abilities and boost your confidence in offering appropriate help within your community.
For more information, feel free to visit the MHSS official website at www.mhss.net.au.

The mental health of Australians is deteriorating, placing increasing risk on family, friends, and colleagues for issues such as depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and suicide. Alarmingly, the suicide rate is now about double the road toll.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide, which they have termed a "global depression pandemic." In today's world, without proper mental health support, someone you love or care about could face mental illness with devastating consequences.
This highlights the importance of identifying early onset mental illness and intervening effectively through social support training, which we consider essential life skills. These vital skills encompass what we call the Mental Health Social Support (MHSS) skills. Furthermore, innovative approaches like LEGO therapy can also play a role in supporting mental health.
If you're interested in exploring these topics further for yourself, a client, or an organization, please feel free to contact us by clicking the button below—we would love to have a chat with you!





At Live Your Story Counselling & Psychotherapy, we acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of the country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our sincere respects to their cultures and to elders, past and present.
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