Instructor Training Information

Intensive 5-day training courses are available to train suitable people to become instructors. For more information, download the PDF version of our brochures.

"I have been an Aboriginal Mental Health Worker for at least 5 yrs.I completed the MHFA training last week, and was very much encouraged by the course. I know that mental health first aid is really one of the keys into healing, certainly early intervention. The course content upskilled my understanding and knowledge and gave me a valuable insight into the impacts of mental illness. Just like the St Johns First Aid course I completed last year, if our people have a lot more insight into these illnessess, the process of treatment would be beneficial to all."
Craig Brown, Aboriginal Mental Health Worker NSW. Feb 2007
"I have never sat through five days of education with such a level of attentiveness. The balance of teacher-participants was excellent, and the exemplars and demonstrations of education in action stimulating. The quality of the resources provided is outstanding. Thankyou. I look forward to continued involvement with MHFA."
Tony Hoare, May 2004


Who can be an Instructor?

Each application is assessed as indicating a sufficient level of expertise on the following six selection criteria:

  1. Good knowledge of mental disorders and their treatment
  2. Personal or professional experience with people with mental health problems
  3. Favourable attitudes towards people with mental health problems
  4. Good teaching and communication skills
  5. Good background knowledge of mental health and community services
  6. Good interpersonal skills


How can I become a MHFA Instructor?

There are 5 steps to becoming an accredited MHFA Instructor:

  1. To be accepted into a MHFA Instructor Training Course. "Click here" for applications
  2. To be re-assessed as suitable by the Trainer of Instructors for your course at the end of Day 3 of the Instructor Training Course. This assessement is based on observation of your communication skills, knowledge and attitudes.
  3. To give a successful presentation for 30 – 45 minutes on a section of the MHFA course on the last day of the course.  You will be informed of your topic mid course.
  4. To sign and return an acknowledgement of the copyright  materials and standardisation of the MHFA Program.
  5. To pay the course fee for this training and accreditation plus on going support. Once your application is assessed successful, you will receive a registration form to be completed for an invoice. This fee is due one week prior to course commencement.

    *See below for course fees and cancellation policy

To retain annual Instructor accreditation, Instructors are required to teach a minimum of 3 MHFA courses per 12 months anniversary from their initial instructor training date.  Instructors are also required to attend the annual MHFA Instructor Conference at least once every three years.  If accreditation is lost, Instructors need to enrol in the first 3 days of a 5-day MHFA Instructor Training Course. The cost to attend is $550, the fee includes current Teaching Notes & course CD/DVD compilation. A registration form for lapsed Instructors can be obtained upon request from mhfa@mhfa.com.au

Applications to apply for MHFA Instructor Training Courses


5-day Adult MHFA Instructor Application (198k) (Opens in new window).

5-day Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Instructor Application (Opens in a new window).* Please note that only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are able to apply to these courses.

* Please note conditions apply - OATSIH Scholarships must be offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are employees of Australian Government OATSIH funded services or Students and Graduates of the Djirruwang Aboriginal and Torres Strat Islander Mental Health Program Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga NSW and Students and Graduates of the Mental Health Worker Program, Bachelor Institute Northern Territory - you must provide official documentation as proof. Please "Click here" for Scholarship application

3-day Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Instructor Application (235 k) (Opens in a new window). * Please note that only accredited MHFA Instructors are able to apply to these courses.

5.5 day Youth MHFA Instructor Application (235k)(Opens in a new window).

3-day Youth MHFA Instructor Application (234 k) (Opens in a new window).* Please note that only accredited MHFA Instructors are able to apply to these courses

5-day MHFA Vietnamese Instructor Application Form (124 k) (Opens in a new window). * Please note that only Vietnamese People are able to apply to these courses.

To view current Instructor courses available please "Click here".

 

Course fees

This includes an Instructor's Kit of teaching notes, readings, powerpoint slides, books, DVD's and a MHFA t-shirt. Each instructor will receive ongoing support as requested via phone & email and a regular newsletter will keep instructors up to date with any new relevant research developments pertinent to changes in the course content.

Should you not be successful in becoming an accredited MHFA Instructor, there will be a fee of $800 for your attendance, teaching and catering for the course. You will not be able to keep the MHFA Instructor Kit.

Fees are due one week prior to commencement of the Instructor training course..

Cancellation Policy
Fees, minus a cancellation fee*. are able to be refunded if an applicant is able to notify us of their cancellation to attend a MHFA Instructor Training Course.

*A cancellation fee of $250 applies to all notifications given prior to 4 weeks of the commencement of the MHFA course.

 *A cancellation fee of $500 applies to all notifications given within 4 weeks of the commencement of the MHFA course.

 

Refresher Weekend 2005
Participants at the MHFA Refresher Weekend 2005

Refresher Weekend 2004
Participants at the MHFA Refresher Weekend 2004

Refresher Weekend 2004
A workshop at the MHFA Refresher Weekend 2004

 

 

Announcement

  • New fee structure applies from 1 Jan 2008
  • For more info click here

 

 

Looking for more training in Youth Mental Health?

  • ORY Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences (Young People’s Mental Health)

  • More info click here