MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID


With 1 in 4 Australians experincing a mental illness in any one year, now is the time to learn how to start a supportive conversation with a friend, family member or colleague


The Mental Health First Aid course teaches people (18 years and over) how to offer initial support to adults who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. The course curriculum is evidence-based, as informed by the MHFA Guidelines.


What the course covers

Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.

Developing mental health problems covered are:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety problems

  • Psychosis

  • Substance use problems.

Mental health crisis situations covered are:

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours

  • Non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called deliberate self-harm)

  • Panic attacks

  • Traumatic events

  • Severe effects of drug or alcohol use

  • Severe psychotic states

  • Aggressive behaviours.



Course format - in person, online or hybrid training

Standard MHFA Course

12 hours of training in person over 2 days

100% delivered by Irene Ais in your workplace


Blended MHFA Course

This is a 100% online course blends the best of self paced and instructor led learning. 

  • Course Component 1 - A self-paced eLearning component (takes 5-7 hours to complete)

  • Course Component 2 - An Instructor-led component using zoom online or in person ( 2.5 hours over two sessions or 5hrs in one day).


Each course format includes a copy of the MHFA Manual for each participant to keep (participants can choose a PDF manual for free or add the cost of a hard copy manual in their registration), and a Certificate of Completion.


Who can attend the course?

Any interested adult can attend.

I specialise in supporting health professionals, teachers, somatic, movement and meditation facilitators, community leaders.

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.


Claim CPD points

Most professionals can claim attendance at a MHFA course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) with their industry body.

The Standard Mental Health First Aid Course has been endorsed for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for a number of professions.


MHFAider ACCREDITATION

After completing any blended MHFA course, participants are eligible to complete a short 20 question online Accreditation Assessment in order to receive a Mental Health First Aider Certificate of Accreditation valid for 3 years. Accredited Mental Health First Aiders are eligible to be appointed as Mental Health First Aid Officers in the workplace.

Re-accreditation requirements can be fulfilled with a 1 day refresher course every 3 years.


Testimonials

"One of the most interesting, informative and valuable courses that I have ever attended."

"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!"

I acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of Australia.

Sovereignty was never ceded.

Always was and always will be Aboriginal land


I pay my respects to the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nation who are the traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work and the unbroken chain of wisdom passed down through elders past, present and emerging. 

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