Growing People, Impacting Communities

Leaders in CALD Wellbeing & mental Health in Australia

Through evidence-based programs, co-designed with the communities we serve, educaid is transforming mental health outcomes through culturally responsive solutions.

What we Do

Our Journey empowering communites, one person at a time

Our evidence-based and evidence-informed programs are designed with a laser focus on what truly matters: providing culturally relevant mental health and wellbeing solutions that resonate with the unique needs of diverse populations

 

Whether it’s through schools, corporate environments, or grassroots community efforts, we are leading the conversation and driving change where it’s needed most.

Training & Education

Tailored mental health and
well-being programs designed for schools, workplaces, and communities.

Resource Development

Creating culturally responsive materials and toolkits to support mental health and suicide prevention.

Consulting
 

Partnering with organizations to co-design and implement mental health strategies and solutions.

Research
 

Conducting evidence-based research to inform and improve mental health interventions for diverse communities.

Marketing & Communications

Driving awareness and engagement through targeted campaigns that promote mental health and well-being.

Our Vision

Growing people & impacting communities through education. awareness and research. Creating Healthier, Stronger Communities Across Australia

Our Story

Our Journey empowering communites, one person at a time

Educaid began with a vision from our founder, Ziyad Serhan, a dedicated high school teacher and active member of his community. Witnessing the silent mental health struggles faced by many, especially within culturally and linguistically diverse groups, Ziyad realized the need for mental health education that goes beyond knowledge-it’s about breaking down stigma and fostering open conversations.

 

After completing Mental Health First Aid training in 2017, Ziyad co-founded educaid to address these challenges. What started as a personal mission has since evolved into a movement, promoting mental health awareness and well-being across schools, workplaces, and communities, with a focus on faith and culturally diverse populations. Through training, consulting, and research, educaid continues to empower individuals and communities for a healthier future.

About educaid

Growing People and Impacting Communities

Educaid is a wellbeing agency delivering national services that support culturally diverse and vulnerable communities across Australia, and beyond. Operating across schools, communities, and workplaces, educaid provides a range of services focused on mental health, wellbeing, and suicide prevention through education, training, consulting, and research.

 

As a national service provider, educaid tackles these challenges by leveraging strategic partnerships and delivering tailored, culturally and religiously safe solutions. Through its specialized programs and resources, educaid is committed to creating lasting change, empowering individuals and communities, and transforming the landscape of wellbeing and mental health at a systemic level.

 

(additional if needed) With a strong presence in Western Sydney-an area known for its rich cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity-educaid recognizes the unique challenges these communities face. Barriers such as language differences, cultural and religious stigmas, migration stress, and limited access to healthcare services can hinder mental health literacy and emotional resilience.

Our Impact

Educaid is proud of the lasting impact we’ve made through our work with schools, communities, and workplaces across the nation. Every number represents lives touched, minds opened, and communities strengthened

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Views Across Podcasts, News, and Online Platforms

Our Projects

Slide through to view what our impact has done for the community

Who we have worked with

The following organisations we have worked with on many programs in both the corporate district and the local communities.

Educaid in the Media

Explore our media features to see how we’re sparking conversations, influencing change, and making a tangible impact across Australia. From articles to podcasts and interviews, we’ve been sharing our mission to transform mental health support within culturally, linguistically, and faith-diverse communities.

Our Research

Our research-driven initiatives and programs are designed with specific goals in mind to foster mental wellness.

Approach

At educaid Australia, our evidence- informed initiatives are designed with the unique needs of schools and communities in mind, fostering mental wellness and holistic well-being across culturally diverse and faith populations.

Focus

We focus on early intervention strategies, co-designed with schools and communities, to prevent the development of mental health and well-being issues, ensuring culturally relevant support and solutions.

Growth

Our programs encourage behaviors and skills that promote resilience, personal growth, and well-being, tailored specifically to the needs of culturally diverse communities.

Hope

We aim to inspire hope by offering inclusive
and supportive environments within schools and communities, assuring individuals they are not alone in their journey towards well-being.

Support

Our initiatives are designed to help schools and communities access the necessary support systems, ranging from peer assistance to professional care, all shaped by a deep understanding of cultural and community contexts.

Testimonials

See what our customer have to say about educaid

Working with educaid has been an incredible experience. The impact they have made within CALD communities in our region is truly remarkable. Their dedication, expertise, and culturally responsive approach have been invaluable, and I have learned so much from them. It has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with educaid.

Nicole

Brisbane South PHN

Ziyad was well organised, highly informed and very understanding. His delivery was engaging and he guided us through the process with confidence and empathy. Thank you.

Participant

The delivery was great, everything was posed as discussion points and welcomed first hand knowledge or experience, rather than being delivered in a lecture style.

Teacher

Thank you Ziyad for your generosity, positivity and assertiveness in these few days!! You have made a huge impact on my life from this day forward!!

Teacher

Ziyad brings incredible energy, deep cultural and spiritual awareness, and a wealth of knowledge to his work. He is a great listener who delivers practical, easy-to-recall strategies, making mental health education both engaging and impactful.

Community Leader

Our Offerings

Different programs we’re offering
At educaid, our strength lies in the passionate and experienced individuals who drive our mission forward. Our team is dedicated to empow

Schools Program

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Workplaces

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Organisations

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Mental Health First Aid

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Suicide First Aid

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Schools Program

Schools Program For Staff educaid supports educators with professional development and well-being programs to enhance their capacity in mental health and crisis response. We offer Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK, Accidental Counsellor, and self-care workshops, alongside policy development, group clinical supervision, and critical incident response, ensuring schools have a comprehensive approach to staff mental health and well-being.

Schools Program For Staff educaid supports educators with professional development and well-being programs to enhance their capacity in mental health and crisis response. We offer Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK, Accidental Counsellor, and self-care workshops, alongside policy development, group clinical supervision, and critical incident response, ensuring schools have a comprehensive approach to staff mental health and well-being.

 For Parents educaid empowers parents with mental health awareness, well-being strategies, and culturally responsive support to help them navigate their child’s development. Our workshops on adolescence, faith-based parenting programs, and school well-being initiatives equip parents with practical tools to support their children’s mental health while maintaining their own well-being in a changing world.

Workplaces

Workplaces Training & Education educaid delivers workplace-specific mental health and suicide prevention training, including Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK, and tailored well-being workshops designed to equip employees and leaders with the skills to foster a mentally healthy work environment.

We help organisations develop and implement mental health strategies, policies, and frameworks, conduct workplace well-being audits, and provide ROI analysis to measure the impact of mental health initiatives.

Educaid offers one-on-one and group well-being support, including stress management programs, clinical supervision, and critical incident response, ensuring workplaces are equipped to navigate challenges while fostering a culture of care.

Organisations

We co-design and implement culturally and faith-sensitive mental health initiatives, including healing circles, resilience workshops, and tailored suicide prevention programmes to strengthen support networks in community and religious settings.

Educaid works with government agencies, PHNs, and organisations to develop tailored mental health frameworks, policy recommendations, and workforce training strategies that foster sustainable and systemic change.

We provide customised mental health training, cultural competency workshops, and workplace well-being strategies to help organisations and places of worship create inclusive, trauma-informed, and mentally healthy environments.

Mental Health First Aid

Delivered by educaid to empower young people from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds, Teen MHFA equips students with the skills to support their peers experiencing mental health challenges. Delivered over 3.5 hours, this training fosters compassion, trust, and community responsibility, ensuring young people feel safe and supported in seeking help.

Tailored for teachers, parents, and adults in culturally and faith-diverse communities by educaid, the 14 hour Youth MHFA program provides essential skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges in young people. This program emphasizes culturally responsive and faith-sensitive approaches, ensuring young people receive support that aligns with their values and lived experiences.

 Standard MHFA Standard MHFA equips individuals with the knowledge and confidence to recognize, respond to, and support someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. Participants learn how to provide initial assistance, encourage professional help-seeking, and reduce stigma, helping to create safer and more supportive communities, workplaces, and organisations.

Suicide First Aid

Suicide First Aid safeTALK Suicide Alertness SafeTALK is a suicide alertness training that equips participants with the skills to recognize when someone may be struggling with thoughts of suicide and connect them with appropriate help. This half-day workshop is ideal for schools, workplaces, and community members who want to build a suicide-safer environment.

 ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training ASIST is an intensive, interactive workshop designed for frontline workers, educators, and community leaders. Over two days, participants learn how to identify risk, provide immediate safety planning, and apply evidence-based intervention techniques to support individuals experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Conversations about Suicide MHFA The Conversations about Suicide course teaches participants how to provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Course participants learn how to recognise and respond to suicidal thoughts and behaviours, provide support and encourage pathways to professional help. 

 

Our Team

At educaid, our strength lies in the passionate and experienced individuals who drive our mission forward. Our team is dedicated to empowering communities through mental health education and support, tailored to the unique needs of culturally diverse populations.

Our Executive Team leads the day-to-day operations, shaping the vision and ensuring the successful delivery of our programs across schools and communities. Our Advisory Board comprises of experts from various sectors, provides strategic guidance, helping to steer educaid toward sustainable growth and deeper community impact.

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NSW Suicide Prevention Training Project

In partnership with LivingWorks Australia and supported by NSW Health, Educaid delivered over 102 suicide alertness and intervention workshops across NSW schools, communities, and workplaces, training over 2,000 individuals to build suicide-safer environments.

Suicide Prevention Training for CALD Communities

Commissioned by Brisbane South PHN, Educaid co-designed a tailored mental health and suicide prevention framework for seven culturally diverse communities, ensuring inclusive support through meaningful engagement with leaders and members.

The Shifa Project

Commissioned by CESPHN, WSYD PHN, and SWSYD PHN, the Shifa Project is a collaboration with key partner organisations, co-led by Educaid Australia. This initiative delivers psychological, cultural, and spiritual support to communities impacted by the Gaza genocide, fostering resilience, healing, and sustainable coping strategies for long-term well-being.

The Mental Health Project

Funded by the IMB Bank Community Foundation grant, this project trained 500 students and teachers in South Western Sydney in mental health and suicide prevention. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, Educaid adapted with online workshops and community events to equip young people with life-saving skills.

Mental Health training for Imams and Community Leaders

In collaboration with ANIC, Educaid delivered tailored Mental Health First Aid training to Imams and community leaders, equipping them to address mental health needs within their communities with cultural and faith sensitivity.

Healthy Giants Wellbeing Program

Educaid partnered with the GWS Giants and Torrens University to deliver Healthy Minds workshops to over 1,000 high school students across Greater and Western Sydney, promoting resilience and mental health awareness in schools.

RISE Mental Fitness Workshops

Educaid developed this program to empower students to overcome challenges by fostering resilience, emotional intelligence, and healthy coping skills. Integrating Islamic teachings, RISE reduced stigma and strengthened faith-based well-being in Islamic schools.

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Faith Leaders

Educaid provided culturally tailored mental health and suicide prevention training for faith leaders in the Islamic community, enabling them to better support individuals and families with compassion and cultural sensitivity.

Ziyad Serhan

Managing Director and CEO

With a strong background in education and an active member of his local community, Ziyad is passionate about working with Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and faith communities. His experience includes being a high school teacher in a South-West Sydney High school, as well as the Managing Director and Cofounder of Educaid Australia, which focuses on delivering mental health education and suicide intervention training amongst CALD and faith communities. He is currently an accredited suicide intervention trainer and a Master Instructor in the mental health first aid course, delivering over fifty courses to school, community and workplace settings in the last few years.

 

Ziyad recently worked as a Senior Mental Health Consultant with Australias largest youth mental health organisation, Headspace, where he supported leaders across schools and communities to improve their approach to whole-school mental health and wellbeing, as well as provide suicide postvention support using an evidence based-approach. Ziyad has presented at national and international conferences on his work in the wellbeing and suicide prevention space and ways of incorporating diverse wellbeing views in meeting the needs of communities. He is currently a qualifying Psychotherapist and Counsellor, undertaking a second Masters in Counselling at Torrens University.

Sophia Sarwary

Programs Manager - Schools and Communities

Sophia Sarwary is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Macquarie University. Passionate about mental health, she actively volunteers with organizations dedicated to fostering positive change in this realm. Through her volunteer experiences with organisations like headspace and Lifeline, Sophia has had the privilege of contributing to initiatives aimed at promoting mental well-being and destigmatizing conversations around mental health.

 

Sophia firmly believes in the transformative power of empathy, understanding, and education in creating a supportive environment for individuals navigating the complexities of mental health. Whether through her academic pursuits, volunteer work, or engaging in conversations, she is dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels heard, understood, and supported.

Reham Suleiman

Project Coordinator - Schools and Communities

Reham is a dedicated Psychology student with a passion for empowering youth and breaking down mental health stigma barriers within communities. Currently undertaking her honours in Psychology, her journey in tertiary study isn’t just about academic curiosity—it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of young people.

 

She believes that by providing them with the right tools, guidance, and support, they can be equipped to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and grace. Reham is passionate about fostering open, honest conversations and creating safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and support without fear of judgment.

Tareq Ahmed

Community Engagement Manager

Tareq is currently completing his Master of Professional Psychology at WSU. He has a strong passion in working with adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds and providing culturally appropriate care to assist in improving their overall well being and quality of life. Tareq has key interests in working with a range of mental health concerns including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, suicidal ideation and neurodevelopmental disorders. He is currently completing his placement at Psychcentral. As one of the cofoudners of Educaid Australia, Traeq focuses on destigmatizing the topic of mental health and suicide in CALD communities. Tareq is also the Community Engagement Manager of Living Works Ausralia, leading the NSW wide initiatives in Suicide Intervention.

Basmah Kahil

Psychologist & Consultant

Basmah is a psychologist with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. With several years of experience in developing and delivering workshops in various school and community settings, Basmah specializes in addressing a wide range of mental health concerns. Her clinical background encompasses anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem issues, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities. Employing evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, EMDR, and Schema Therapy, she empowers individuals to navigate their challenges effectively. She has a special interest in women’s mental health, relationships, grief, trauma, intersectionality and Islamic Psychology, where she is currently her diploma at the Cambridge Muslim College.

 

Basmah’s professional interests extend to women’s mental health, relationships, grief, trauma, intersectionality, and Islamic Psychology. She integrates cultural and religious insights into her practice, fostering a culturally sensitive approach to therapy. As a consultant psychologist with Educaid for a few years, she is committed to mental health advocacy and stigma reduction. She endeavors to bridge the gap between communities and therapy through psychoeducation.

Horatio O'Shea

Wellbeing Consultant and Counsellor

Horatio O’Shea brings over 25 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, working across frontline services, management, and organizational consultancy. He has supported diverse communities, including children and families in out-of-home care, people with disabilities, homeless youth, and individuals seeking asylum.

 

As an accredited Gestalt psychotherapist with expertise in group crisis intervention and the Yalom method of group work, Horatio specializes in supporting individuals and organizations impacted by secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue. He is an accredited Compassion Fatigue Educator with the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology and has dedicated his career to fostering trauma-responsive workplaces and well-being initiatives.

 

Horatio’s Master’s research focused on managing the effects of vicarious trauma in organizations, leading him to develop and deliver specialized training in self-care, trauma-responsive leadership, and compassion fatigue prevention. As the founder of Sydney Therapeutic Practise and a consultant with Educaid, he works closely with individuals, teams, and organizations to build resilient, trauma-informed environments, ensuring that well-being remains at the core of mental health and community support initiatives.

Zaid Omran

Facilitator

Zaid Omran completed his Bachelor of Psychology at Macquarie University, where he served as President of the Macquarie University Muslim Student Association (MUMSA). In his time at MQU, he worked to strengthen student engagement, foster an inclusive environment, and coordinate initiatives that supported the Muslim student community.


Now pursuing a Master of Social Work, Zaid is focused on expanding his impact in youth mentorship and community development where his passion lies. He leads programs and mentorship initiatives that support young Muslims and people from cultural backgrounds in their personal, social, and spiritual growth, striving to create meaningful opportunities that empower and uplift the next generation.

 

Beyond youth work, Zaid has been involved in mental health education through EducAid Australia, his own private marketing consultancy, allied health support, and humanitarian outreach, gaining diverse experience in supporting individuals and communities.

Ali Faraj

Chairman - Advisory Board

As the Executive Director of Community with AFL club, the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants, Ali plays a central role in uniting one of the most diverse regions in the world, Western Sydney. Ali recently featured as an adolescent expert on the hit ABC’s Old People’s Home For Teenagers, a show that brings generations together to combat loneliness, anxiety and depression. Ali has devoted his life towards improving the opportunities afforded to both Muslim and non-Muslim youths alike. He has spent the past decade engaging schools and teenagers in Western Sydney through a range of community outreach programs focused on social cohesion, wellbeing, education, employment, and leadership development. He is a qualified teacher and has been engaged by various Government and community working groups to help with social cohesion among young people right across NSW. Ali was born and raised in a Lebanese family in Western Sydney, and is a devoted husband and father of four.

 

Ali’s contributions to mental health advocacy have been widely recognized, including being honored with the UNSW Australian Mental Health Prize for his outstanding dedication and contributions to mental health awareness and support. This prestigious award serves as a testament to Ali’s unwavering commitment and the significant impact he has made in the field of mental health.

 

Zena Nekro

Principal psychologist and Founder of Mindwise

Zena is the Director and Principal Psychologist of Mindwise Health and Wellbeing. As a registered Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and adults, she is experienced in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of mental health issues. Zena’s main area of expertise and interest is Anxiety Disorders such as Phobias, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, and Health Anxiety. Zena’s approach to therapy involves using evidence-based techniques including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, as well as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).

 

Zena also has a keen interest in the area of chronic pain and rehabilitation and is a SIRA-approved psychologist. With a background in injury management and mediation on complex issues in the workplace, Zena is well equipped to provide assistance through any aspect of a complex workers compensation and/or personal injury claim. Zena’s approach is client-focussed, as she believes in appreciating each client as a unique individual. She adopts a warm, respectful and nurturing interpersonal style to empower her clients and create a sense of comfort through which they can navigate through difficult times.