Eye-opening role-play for mental health and paramedicine students

Charles Sturt University paramedicine students and First Nations mental health students participated in training scenarios as part of their preparation for work in communities throughout Australia. These role-play learning and teaching scenarios develop understanding and service integration between paramedics and mental health carers to promote better outcomes in First Nations patient heath call outs.

Associate Head of School, Dr Sonja Maria from the School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, developed this training task with Dr Jola Stewart-Bugg, the Discipline Leader for First Nations at Charles Sturt, to give students insight into the possible needs of First Nations patients and how paramedics operate when on-call.

First Nations mental health student Mr Cameron Balcombe said, “The day was a great step towards collaboration between future first responders and future First Nations mental health clinicians. The scenarios were eye-opening, to see what is involved in on-the-ground care and how collaboration between services can strengthen outcomes.”