From next year, accredited Mental Health First Aid Training will be available to every student completing the Leo Cussen graduate diploma in legal practice.

Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA) offers accredited training specifically for the legal profession, which Leo Cussen said is a “thoroughly evaluated, evidence informed, skills development course designed to address the particular mental health challenges faced by those working in the legal industry”.

In a statement, Leo Cussen director of PLT Madeleine Dupuche said: “In light of the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, and in particular the very long period of lockdown experienced in Victoria, Leo Cussen recognises the importance of responding meaningfully to the emerging mental health challenge arising from the pandemic.”

“Leo Cussen is privileged to have our own in-house Mental Health First Aid trainer, Claire Humble, Lawyer and Mentor, who is accredited to deliver training in Mental Health First Aid for the Legal Profession. With the generous support of legalsuper in sponsoring the online component of the course, Claire is currently delivering the face-to-face training component to our 2020 graduates,” she said.

Moreover, Ms Dupuche said, the PLT provider is pleased to have already facilitated almost 100 new lawyers to become accredited mental health first aiders. 

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“We know they will serve the profession well, both in the legal skills they bring from their Leo Cussen Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and in their ability to support colleagues, clients and friends who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis,” she proclaimed.

“We look forward to expanding this training to the profession more broadly through our CPD team and in partnership with other legal organisations.”