Profile of Mental Health First Aid founder, Graham Roper

The establishment of the first Mental Health First Aid training programme in New Zealand came about through founder Graham Roper’s personal experience.

A paramedic with more than 30-years in pre-hospital emergency care, Graham found himself profoundly affected by the deaths of those he sought to help, to the point of depression. With the stigma attached to the admission of mental health problems, he chose to hide his condition, which eventually resulted in his suicide. While he survived, he nonetheless considers the event to have been the end of his life as he knew it.

During his recovery he faced many of the hardships encountered by others in the same position, including ostracism by friends and family, and loss of livelihood. His accountant embezzled tens of thousands dollars of his assets. Graham’s experience with the lack of understanding of those with mental health issues inspired him to set up Mental Health First Aid. He has initiated a programme designed to educate those in the community, businesses and organisations to understand and be responsive to people experiencing mental distress.

Today, Graham is considered an expert in the mental health field. He is a consumer advisor with the Mental Health and Community Sector. He serves on a number of boards including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and the Committee for Therapeutic Interventions and Evidence-based Practice. He has completed a term on the Mental Health Commission Advisory Group and chaired the National Association of Mental Health Service Consumer Advisers.

Graham Roper lives in Dunedin.