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About Us

About Educaid

Educaid Australia is a for-purpose, not-for-profit company based in Western Sydney and provides services within culturally diverse and vulnerable communities across NSW, nationally and abroad. Educaid Australia works in various settings including schools, communities, and workplaces, and is dedicated to “growing people, and impacting communities” through mental health and suicide prevention training and education sessions. Western Sydney specifically has a higher concentration of culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse people than other areas. 

Educaid Australia sees the challenges standing in the way of improving mental health literacy and emotional resilience, which are faced by the communities both in this region and across broader NSW. These challenges may include language barriers, cultural and religious stigmas, stress from migration and adaptation to a new culture, difficulty in understanding how to navigate the healthcare system, circulating misinformation, and the varying success of mainstream organisations in engaging with culturally diverse and vulnerable communities (Malviya 2023). 

Educaid Australia helps to mitigate these challenges through their partnerships, tailored services and resources, and culturally and religiously safe practices.

– Our Vision – 

Our vision is to reach 10,000 students in 2024. We are dedicated to creating a meaningful and lasting difference in the mental health landscape among young people

Ziyad Serhan

The Educaid Story

As a science high school teacher, I was always passionate about mentoring and talking to young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds about their wellbeing. It was only until I started to put ‘pieces of the puzzle’ together did I realise the prevalence and struggle of young people and the unspoken impacts of mental health struggles. After completing a course in mental health first aid in 2017, I realised that being equipped with skills and a framework to assist others was key.

Using my passion for education and pedagogy, I quickly came to realise that education is an important vehicle in breaking down stigmas and taboos in my both my communities. Five years on, and having worked in the mental health space in workplace, community and school settings inmental health and suicide prevention, Educaid is seeking to create a movement that will change the narrative around mental health and wellbeing in culturally diverse and religious communities.

Ziyad Serhan.

Our Vision

A world empowered and educaided through education, advocacy and research.

Our Mission

Growing People

EducAID Au was established to meet the dire need of educating and equipping communities, in particular culturally diverse communities, with regards to Mental Health. This follows an important rise of Mental Health associated illnesses and their prevalence in society. Equipping communities with Mental Health First Aid ensures a unique skill set that transforms the way community members think and behave in their different spheres of life.

Impacting Communities

EducAID AU is also committed to growing people who are well rounded, resilient, and are able to withstand the current pressures of the world we live in. We seek to create a citizen
factory of people who come out with the comprehensive skills and tools to tackle and deal with challenges of life and society. A main focus is involves increasing mental health literacy amongst culturally diverse and faith-based schools and communities.

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

We focus on early intervention strategies to prevent the development of mental health issues.

Our programs encourage behaviours and skills that support mental health and personal growth.

We aim to inspire hope in young individuals facing difficult circumstances, assuring them that they are not alone.

Our efforts are geared towards helping young people access the necessary support, ranging from peer assistance to professional care.

Meet Our Team

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Ali Faraj - Chairman of Advisory Board

Ali, as the Executive Director of Community at GWS Giants, is committed to fostering unity in Western Sydney. His recent appearance on "Old People's Home For Teenagers" highlighted his efforts to combat loneliness across generations.

Through various outreach programs, Ali empowers youth, emphasizing social cohesion, education, and leadership development.

Leveraging his background as a qualified teacher, he actively supports government and community initiatives aimed at promoting social unity. Ali's dedication to mental health advocacy has earned him recognition, including the prestigious UNSW Australian Mental Health Prize, underscoring his impactful contributions to the field.

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Dr. Rashid Flewellen - Advisory Board Member

Dr. Rashid Flewellen is a lecturer at Sydney School of Education and Social Work and an academic at Western Sydney University's School of Social Sciences and Psychology. Holding a PhD in Public Health from Curtin University of Technology, he specializes in trauma and recovery, focusing on substance use and mental health issues. With over 15 years of experience, he works with diverse populations like military veterans and survivors of domestic violence. Dr. Flewellen teaches Motivational Interviewing, mental health, Indigenous studies, and medical professional development. He also serves as a critical care social worker in the NSW public hospital system, blending clinical practice with academic pursuits. Actively engaged in research and training, he aims to make a meaningful impact by meeting individuals where they are.

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Ziyad Serhan - Managing Director & CEO

Ziyad is deeply involved in education and community engagement, particularly with Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and faith communities. He has taught in South-West Sydney and co-founded Educaid Australia, focusing on mental health education and suicide intervention training. As an accredited suicide intervention trainer and Master Instructor in mental health first aid, he has conducted numerous courses in various settings. Previously, Ziyad worked as a Senior Mental Health Consultant at Headspace, supporting schools and communities in improving mental health approaches. He has presented at national and international conferences on wellbeing and suicide prevention, emphasizing diverse perspectives. Currently, he is qualifying as a Psychotherapist and Counsellor with a second Masters in Counselling at Torrens University

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Sophia Sarwary- Programs Manager - Schools and Communities

Sophia Sarwary is currently pursuing a Master's in Social Work (qualifying) and has completed a bachelor's degree in Psychology at Macquarie University.

She actively volunteers with organisations like Headspace and Lifeline, contributing to mental well-being initiatives.

She believes in the transformative power of empathy, understanding, and education in creating supportive environments for mental health.

Dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels heard, understood, and supported, Sophia is committed to positive change.

She strives to raise awareness and promote mental health advocacy through her academic pursuits and volunteer work.

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Reham Suleiman - Project Coordinator - Schools/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.

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Basmah Kahil - Psychologist & Consultant

Basmah, a psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Social Science and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, conducts workshops in school and community settings. Specializing in mental health concerns like anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem issues, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities, she employs evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, EMDR, and Schema Therapy. Focusing on women’s mental health, relationships, grief, trauma, intersectionality, and Islamic Psychology, she currently pursues a diploma at the Cambridge Muslim College. As a consultant psychologist with Educaid, she advocates for mental health awareness and stigma reduction, integrating cultural and religious insights into her practice to ensure a culturally sensitive approach to therapy and aims to bridge communities and therapy through psychoeducation.

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Tareq Ahmed - Community Engagement Manager

Tareq is currently completing his Master of Professional Psychology at WSU, driven by a strong passion for working with diverse adolescents/adults to improve their well-being.

With interests spanning mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, suicidal ideation, and neurodevelopmental disorders, he is gaining practical experience through his placement at Psychcentral.

As one of the cofounders of Educaid Australia, Tareq focuses on destigmatizing mental health and suicide in CALD communities. Additionally, he serves as the Community Engagement Manager of Living Works Australia, leading Suicide Intervention initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to mental health advocacy and community support.