The 14-hour course will be held from November 18-19 and teach locals practical skills to support adolescents who may be suffering from mental illness such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance misuse.

The workshop will teach how to recognise illness, provide initial help, seek professional support, and respond in a crisis situation.

Mental Health First Aid instructor, Libby, said the course was for anyone who may come into contact with a young person on a daily basis: teachers, parents, youth workers, chaplains or counsellors.

"This course is about helping the wider community and being aware that a young person could be going through a difficult time," Libby said.

"This is about providing initial help and supporting our young people; stamping out stigma, educating people and getting together as a community to support them. Because, as corny as it sounds, they are the future and we need to look after them.

"Half of all people who have a mental illness will have had their first experience by the age of 18. That statistic is quite old so now we expect it is actually even earlier.

"If they have had those experiences as a young person or adolescent (up to 26yo), then they are expected to experience mental illness in adulthood; so early intervention is critical."

The course will be held at the Ibis Styles, Mount Isa, from November 18-19 from 9am to 5pm and costs from $275.

Sign up by emailing Rkustka@gmail.com or call 0433 782 576.

READ MORE: Normanton's Bevan Owens honoured as NRL volunteer of the year.

While you are here subscribe to our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox at 6am every Friday.