THE ORIGINS OF
FOCUSED MENTAL EDUCATION
How it all began...
It all started more than 20 years ago when Damien recognised the importance for education, curiosity, and good mental health for all people, in our personal lives, the workplace and abroad.
As a Sociologist and as a Mental Health Professional Damien knew how important it is to consider the bigger picture for a healthy society, how knowledge is a catalyst for positive systemic change in our society. It was in February 2022 that Damien decided if not now then when, hence Focused Mental Education was conceived and made a passionate reality.
If you've arrived here it's no coincidence that you may agree that knowledge expels fear of the unknown, but fosters curiosity, change and growth, removes communal barriers, stigmas and myths.
It would please Focused Mental Education nothing better than to aid you on your journey of education, curiosity, courage and good mental health.
Our Mission
At Focused Mental Education Pty Ltd, our mission is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based mental health education and training to individuals, workplaces, and community groups across Australia. We are passionate about enhancing mental health literacy, building psychosocial awareness, and empowering people from all walks of life to take action when it matters most.
Our team provides nationally recognised Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses, engaging workshops, and tailored educational programs designed to equip participants with practical tools to identify, understand, and respond to mental health concerns in others, and themselves. These programs are informed by current research, lived experience, and industry best practices to ensure meaningful, real-world impact.
We are committed to making our courses accessible, flexible, and inclusive, offering both face-to-face and online delivery options to suit diverse learning styles and schedules. Whether we are working with a small local business, a school, a corporate organisation, or a regional community, our focus remains the same: to reduce stigma, increase early intervention, and promote mental wellbeing at every level of society.
By providing support to our members of the team and valuing professional development, we also ensure a sustainable and scalable approach to mental health education delivery, rooted in quality and care.
Our Vision
We envision a future where mental health education is considered as essential as physical first aid training, embedded into everyday life, workplaces, schools, and community systems across New South Wales and nationwide.
At Focused Mental Education, our long-term vision is to become a leading national provider of mental health first aid training, known for our affordability, professional integrity, and genuine impact. We strive to create a more mentally informed, compassionate, and resilient society where mental health is openly discussed, understood, and supported, without fear or stigma.
Through strategic collaborations with trusted organisations such as Mental Health Australia, MHCC NSW, WayAhead Workplaces, and the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, we stay connected to the pulse of innovation and policy in the mental health sector.
Our vision includes:
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Expanding access to mental health training across Australia including rural and regional communities
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Supporting organisational wellbeing frameworks with expert-led workshops
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Promoting the value of lived experience and culturally safe education
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Advocating for system-wide change through professional partnerships and memberships
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Retaining and supporting qualified MHFA instructors, counsellors, and mental health professionals
Ultimately, we aim to transform the way individuals and institutions understand and address mental wellbeing, and we do this by consistently delivering education that inspires action, fosters empathy, and changes lives.
Our Core Values
⭐ INTEGRITY ⭐
We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all that we do.
Why it matters:
In the mental health space, trust is everything. Focused Mental Education builds long-term relationships with individuals, communities, and organisations by consistently delivering on promises. Integrity ensures clients feel safe, heard, and respected, whether they're booking a training or engaging NDIS services. It’s also why clients return and refer others.
⭐ EMPATHY ⭐
We lead with compassion, listen without judgement, and honour the lived experiences of every person we work with.
Why it matters:
Mental health isn’t a checkbox; it’s deeply personal. Your ability to create psychologically safe environments hinges on an empathic approach. Every training, support plan, and conversation is delivered with a human-first mindset, this is what makes your services truly transformative.
⭐ EXCELLENCE ⭐
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of quality, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Why it matters:
Delivering high-impact education and support requires more than knowledge, it requires excellence in delivery, structure, and outcomes. Your reputation for 5-star service reflects your commitment to going above and beyond, every time. From logistics to content to care, quality is never compromised.
⭐ FLEXIBILITY ⭐
We adapt to meet the needs of our clients, offering responsive, tailored, and accessible services. We are like the rain, we go where we are needed.
Why it matters:
No two clients are the same. Whether you’re delivering MHFA to a corporate boardroom or supporting an NDIS participant in a remote region, your flexibility ensures relevance, convenience, and effectiveness. It’s how you deliver real-world results across diverse sectors and communities.
⭐ COLLABORATION ⭐
We believe in the power of working together, to share knowledge, amplify impact, and achieve sustainable outcomes.
Why it matters:
Mental health is a collective responsibility. By maintaining strong partnerships with respected bodies like MHCC, ANZMHA, and WayAhead, and collaborating with stakeholders and clients, Focused Mental Education helps create systemic change. You don’t just deliver services, you build networks of support.
⭐ LIVED EXPERIENCE ⭐
We value personal and professional insight and believe in the power of lived experience to shape meaningful education.
Why it matters:
What sets your team apart is not just what you know, but what you’ve lived. You bring deep understanding to your work, which resonates with participants and NDIS clients alike. This authenticity allows for relatable, credible learning that goes beyond textbooks or theory.
⭐ ACCESSIBILITY ⭐
We make high-quality mental health education and services available to everyone, regardless of geography or background.
Why it matters:
From city centres to rural towns, from workplaces to homes, your ability to deliver online, face-to-face, or hybrid services ensures mental health support is never out of reach. This inclusivity helps reduce service gaps and ensures no community is left behind.
⭐ IMPACT ⭐
We focus on outcomes that are measurable, meaningful, and lasting.
Why it matters:
Training and support should lead to change. Your programs are not just informative, they’re transformative. By equipping people with practical tools, confidence, and awareness, you help create ripple effects that influence teams, families, and entire communities.