WHEN Dalyellup mother-of-three Ammee Kirey lost her father to his battle with depression, she was in danger of spiralling out of control herself.
But she was determined to get back on track and move forward, so she enrolled in a community services course at the South West Institute of Technology.
“I needed a focus and I wanted to help people, so this was the perfect solution,” Ms Kirey said.
“It really helped me grow as a person, learning how to help others in turn taught me how to help myself.
“I decided that this was my future and it was my way of making my kids a future.”
But it has not been easy making ends meet for the single mother, so she was pleased to learn that a new opportunity for support had become available.
The Community First Mental Health Scholarship has been announced for students in relevant courses in Bunbury, Mandurah and Albany.
As mental health is a growing issue in regional communities, the goal of the scholarship is to keep up with the demand for support by giving financial assistance to people who want to make a difference in the lives of others.
Community First received a donation from a previous client of its Mental Health Recovery Program with a request to use the money to benefit others on their recovery journey.
“Community First recognises that people with lived experience of mental health distress benefit from working for the wellbeing and recovery of their peers, as it facilitates recovery for both,” executive community services manager Eileen Heath said.
Courses supported by the scholarship include the Certif-icate of Community Mental Health Recovery (Certificate IV in Mental Health) offered by WA Association of Mental Health and Certificate III or IV in Community Services (through local TAFEs).
Up to two people per region, per semester will be funded to the value of $1,000 each towards course fees and associated costs for three years.
The current round of applications will close at 5pm on Friday, May 29.
Successful nominees will be notified in June 2015 and a second round of applications will be open for the second semester in 2015.
For more information contact 9500 7127 or email info@cfi. net.au
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
