Video Transcription

Mental Health First Aid – Harjyot’s Story

So, I grew up in Cattle, which is a small rural community up in Far North Queensland, and I’ve loved growing up in this community. Although we’ve had a couple of challenges over the years, including a couple of cyclones, I remember this one time when a big cyclone came through, and it impacted all of our family. I know my dad wasn’t coping that well with the cyclone either. I personally have always wanted to help people, and seeing my community struggle with the impacts of natural disasters, I felt hopeless because I couldn’t do anything. That’s why I decided to pursue medicine and complete the Mental Health First Aid course. This way, I felt that I could not only help them physically, but also help them mentally.

Through the Mental Health First Aid course, I learned not only about recognizing the various signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, but I also learned how important it is to listen and communicate with people when they’re vulnerable, especially in these situations. I think the biggest thing I learned was how to encourage them to seek help.

As much as I loved studying medicine, like any other university degree, it does have its challenges. But with the Mental Health First Aid course, I’ve gained the skill set to now recognize when I’m feeling stressed. Even if my friends are in any sort of stress, I know how to help. I’m really looking forward to the day that I can come home as a doctor, with the knowledge and skills in medicine and also mental health, so I can better support my community, my family and friends, and people like my dad.

I’m Joe, I’m a medical student, and I am a Mental Health First Aider. I am one. I am one. I am one.

Mental Health First Aid