Prison Inmates Volunteer For Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental health first aid has been the focus of a recent program at Wellington Correctional Centre, formerly branded the toughest country jail in NSW.

More than 200 inmates and 70 staff participated in mental health first aid training by the First Nations-led National Wellbeing Alliance.

The centre’s Governor Brad Peebles shares how mental health first aid is impacting inmates on The Briefing podcast:

Staff and inmates spent two-full days in the classroom learning how to support their mental health and those around them. Governor Brad Peebles greenlit the course.

“It’s often an inmate that will become aware of another inmate struggling and in this way. They can actually be the first point of call,” Peebles said.

“It gives you a toolkit and an understanding of what you’re confronted with when you encounter a person that’s suffering symptoms of a serious mental illness,” he said.

In the month following the training, staff noticed there was an uptick in inmates seeking support for mental health issues. 

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One inmate who took part in the program said he found it therapeutic.

“In here you’re away from your family and your kids so having that opportunity to talk and to share openly is really important,” the inmate said. 

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