The 12-hour Standard Mental Health First Aid course is for any interested adult.
You will learn how to assist another adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or is undergoing a mental health crisis. This support is meant to last until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves itself and is implemented using a practical, evidence-based Action Plan.
This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with mental health problems and from the viewpoint of professionals within the mental health community.
This course is suitable for anyone interested in mental health or who wants to become a Mental Health First Aider. Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments and appropriate first aid strategies, and confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness. It is also associated with decreased stigma and an increase in the help provided.
So, if you’re looking for a Standard Mental Health First Aid course, this is the tailored course to suit. With activities, questions and action plans designed for anyone, all of our material is flexible enough to accommodate someone wanting to know more about mental health issues.
What living with mental health issues feels like
We don’t support the idea that mental health is ‘not a real health concern’. The reason we refer to the course as Mental Health First Aid is that, like any other health issue you may have, mental health issues can have very serious and widespread repercussions. Our mental states aren’t always in our control, particularly those who have undergone one or several serious, traumatic events.
For those living with a mental health condition, the results of not getting treatment can be devastating and may lead to further mental health problems over time. It’s our goal to equip Australians with the skills and confidence to help those around them get the support they need.
The Standard Mental Health First Aid Course is a 2 two day course (12 hours, excluding break times). This course has been designed in four separate modules and can be delivered over four separate three-hour sessions upon corporate request.
Module 1
We are introduced to mental health problems, the MHFA Action Plan, and a discussion on depression and bipolar disorder.
Module 2
We begin with exploring a difficult topic – suicide. From the perspective of this topic, we have a Mental Health conversation and start exploring the signs and symptoms of anxiety.
Module 3
We cover two different types of crisis situations:
The first begins with watching a film and meeting Jarrad and Ashlea, who will share their experience of living with anxiety.
We will then look at signs and symptoms of psychosis along with evidence-based treatments.
Module 4
We begin by looking at a person experiencing a severe psychotic state.
A severe psychotic state means that the person in question is currently experiencing overwhelming delusions and hallucinations, very disorganised thinking and bizarre or disruptive behaviours. We also look at substance use problems in relation to this condition.
This course will not teach you to diagnose a mental illness nor treat it, just as a conventional first aid course will not teach you to be a doctor. You will learn how to recognise that someone may have a mental health problem, how to be supportive of them and help them to receive appropriate professional help as early as possible.
The course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals. It provides an overview of mental illnesses, risk factors, prevalence, and impact before taking a much closer look at the following mental health problems:
For more information, download the Standard Mental Health First Aid brochure.
There are no prerequisites for this course. Any adult 18 years or over can attend. Due to the adult learning environment, ‘Your’ First Aid Trainer cannot accept registrations for participants under the age of 18.
With physical first aid training, like Provide First Aid participants can be aged 14 and above with their parents/ guardian’s consent.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Requirements
Participants will require suitable LLN skills to complete the following tasks/skills:
$330 per participant
To secure your space, full payment is required at the time of booking.
We accept credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) or electronic funds transfers (internet banking).
Large groups and onsite pricing vary.
Please speak to one of our friendly team to discuss the available options.
Course includes Standard Mental Health First Aid course manual and workbook, as well as coffee, tea, water, biscuits and lollies.
Locations Available
We teach many public courses throughout Queensland. Please see our calendar for the next course closest to you.
Or we come to your workplace (minimum numbers apply).
Requirements for completion
Participants need to attend 100% of this first aid training. If they can’t, please contact our office for further arrangements.
To receive accreditation as a Mental Health First Aider, you will be required to complete an online assessment following training. If you do not require certification and simply want to learn the skills taught in the course, then assessment is not required.
Certification Issued
This course does not form part of a Vocational Education Qualification.
Accreditation is provided by Mental Health First Aid Australia. If you do not require certification and simply want to learn the skills taught in the course, then assessment is not required.
Upon completing the post-training assessment, certification is issued as a Mental Health First Aider.
Certification Validity
Three (3) years from the date of issue. We recommend you use the email address that is still valid in 3 or 6 years’ time.
Refresher training is required after three years, taken as either a four-hour face-to-face course or two separate two-and-a-half-hour online video conferencing courses. Taking a refresher course ensures you can hold on to your certification of validity.
In the sixth year, the full course must be completed again.
Evidence-based Courses
Mental Health First Aid Australia (mhfa.com.au) courses are based on evidence which supports the best approaches to offering support to someone who has a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis.
This evidence has been developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne by developing Delphi method guidelines that cover many mental health problems, crises and contexts.
All MHFA courses are then evaluated using rigorous scientific methods to ensure they deliver a positive impact.
These evaluations consistently show that MHFA training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, knowledge of appropriate first aid strategies, and confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness, the benefits of which are maintained over time.
Some studies have also shown improved mental health in those who attend the training, decreases in stigmatising attitudes and increases in the amount and type of support provided to others.
How to book and get further information
