Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional treatment is received or the crisis resolves. Mental health first aid strategies are taught in training programs provided by the Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program (MHFA).
The 12-hour Mental Health First Aid course teaches adults (18 years and over) how to provide initial support to adults (18 years or over) who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Claim CPD Points
The Standard Mental Health First Aid Course has been endorsed for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Points for a number of professions including Nurses, OTs, Pharmacists, Fitness Instructors, Social Workers, Physiotherapists and more. See our FAQ section to see if this applies to you.
What the course covers
Developing mental health problems:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Substance misuse
Mental health crisis situations:
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called self-harm)
- Panic attack
- After a traumatic event
- Severe psychotic states
- Severe effects of alcohol and drugs
- Aggressive behaviours
Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.
Course Format
This is a 12-hour course, which can be delivered as either:
- A 2-day training package (6 hours per day), OR
- As 4 separate training modules (3 hours each)
MHFA Manual
A manual is provided to each participant attending this 12-hour MHFA course. This Standard MHFA manual can also be purchased online at the MHFA Shop. A review of this manual can be read here.
Who can attend a course?
Any interested adult can attend. Please note this course is not a therapy or support group, rather it is an education course to learn how to give first aid to others.
Enrolling in a MHFA course
MHFA Instructors work independently from the MHFA Program, either working for an organisation or running their own business. Click here to view upcoming MHFA courses, as advertised by our MHFA Instructors. Or click here to locate an instructor in your area and to then contact them directly.
Cost
Your local instructor can inform you of their individual fees.
Testimonials
“Outstanding and thought provoking. I found this course extremely informative and believe it will help me, both in my professional and personal life.”
“Informative and interesting, the course made me realise that there is a lot more involved with mental illnesses than I had previously realised. A great community course!”
“Excellent course. Well researched and presented. I found it extremely worthwhile.”
“I was really impressed! The course opened my eyes to many aspects of mental health that I didn’t know, or at least only superficially.”
“One of the most interesting, informative and valuable courses that I have ever attended.”
“Fantastic! Congratulations on developing such an important and vital course as this one.”
“I think it was a fantastic course and hope that every single Australian is given the opportunity to take part in it.” “I consider it a privilege to have been able to attend and learn so much from this course.”
More Information
Download our information sheet to read more about the Standard MHFA Course