Growing People, Impacting Communities

Leading Suicide Prevention in Multicultural Communities

Educaid works alongside culturally and faith diverse communities, and the organisations and workforces that support them, to build practical capability and strengthen culturally responsive approaches to wellbeing, distress and suicide prevention.  

How we work

Working with communities and systems to create lasting change.

Educaid works alongside communities, organisations and workforces to strengthen wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention in culturally and faith diverse settings.

Our approach brings together community knowledge, cultural and faith perspectives, professional practice and evidence. We build capability within communities while also supporting the organisations and systems around them to become more responsive, connected and effective.

Capability Building

We build knowledge, practical skills and confidence through accredited training, tailored education, professional development and workforce capability initiatives.

Community Development

We strengthen local leadership, connection and community capability so people are better equipped to support wellbeing, respond to distress and sustain locally led change.

Co-develop with Communities

We work alongside communities through consultation, partnership and co-develop, bringing lived experience, cultural knowledge, faith perspectives and community strengths into the responses being developed. 

Strengthen Systems

We support organisations and services to strengthen culturally responsive practice, workforce capability, program design and the systems that shape how communities are supported. 

Build & Share Evidence

We evaluate practice, capture community knowledge and generate evidence, translating what we learn into reports, resources, frameworks and insights that strengthen future policy and practice. 

Our Vision

Advancing wellbeing through culture, connection and community.

Our Story

Our Journey empowering communites, one person at a time

Educaid Australia was established in 2018 from a belief that mental health education needed to better reflect the cultural, faith and community contexts in which people understand wellbeing, distress and help-seeking. What began primarily through mental health education and training has progressively grown into a broader body of work across suicide prevention, workforce development, community engagement, consulting, community wellbeing and research and evaluation. Today, Educaid works alongside communities, schools, health and mental health services, Primary Health Networks, government-funded initiatives and sector partners to strengthen culturally responsive approaches to wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention.

Who We Are

Growing People and Impacting Communities

Educaid Australia is a community-rooted wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention organisation. We work at the intersection of community knowledge and mainstream systems – strengthening knowledge, leadership and capability within communities while helping organisations and workforces better understand and respond to culture, faith and lived realities. We work across multicultural and faith diverse communities, with particular depth in culturally responsive suicide prevention and Muslim mental health and wellbeing. Our work spans education and workforce development, community engagement and capacity building, consulting, research and evaluation.

Mission

We work alongside communities, organisations and workforces to build practical skills, strengthen local capability, develop culturally responsive responses and translate community knowledge into better practice. 

Values

Community-led · Culture, faith & identity as strengths · Dignity, equity & justice · Evidence, safety & accountability · Partnership & humility

Our Reach & Impact

Our work reaches communities, workforces and organisations through training, community-led initiatives, commissioned programs, consultation and partnerships.  We are strengthening how we measure impact so that our story is not only about how many people we reach, but what changes through the work. 

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Beyond the Numbers

Knowledge & Confidence

Building knowledge, confidence and practical understanding so people feel better equipped to recognise concerns, respond appropriately and support others.

Capability & Practice

Strengthening the skills and capability of community, organisations and workforces so learning can be translated into safer, more culturally responsive action.

Pathways to Support

Improving awareness of support options and strengthening pathways between communities, services and appropriate care

Learning & Improvement

Using evaluation, community insights and practice-based learning to strengthen programs and improve future delivery.

Our Work in Action

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

Our Partners & Commissioners

Our work is made possible through relationships with communities, commissioners, health and mental health services, schools, research partners, peak bodies and community organisations. We value partnerships that combine community knowledge, technical expertise and shared responsibility for better outcomes.

Educaid in the Media

Educaid contributes to broader conversations about culturally responsive mental health, suicide prevention, community wellbeing and faith-responsive practice through media, public education, conferences and sector forums. Explore selected media features, interviews and conversations involving our team and work.

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 customers 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

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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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.