Mental Health First Aid Australia Courses

Mental Health First Aid Australia

Mental Health First Aid International. 25 years of empowering conversation.

Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA) is a global health promotion charity dedicated to the provision of evidence-based and informed programs, empowering communities with early intervention mental health training. Beginning in 2000, Mental Health First Aid has become one of the most trusted evidence-based mental health education programs in Australia and worldwide.

Logo for Mental Health First Aid Australia with a green leaf design, text indicating licensed instructor

As qualified MHFA instructors, ouir goal is to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and equip our students with the knowledge and skills to provide initial mental health first aid assistance to a person experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.

A line drawing of two stick figures, one kneeling and holding hands with another figure sitting on a chair.

INTERVENE EARLY

Recognise the warning signs of mental health problems in other adults.

Line drawing of two hands reaching towards each other.

OFFER SUPPORT

Learn the skills to have an open, supportive conversation about mental health.

Two people sitting in chairs facing each other, having a conversation, with a speech bubble above them.

RESPOND IN A CRISIS

Respond across a range of crisis situations where an adult may be at risk of harm.

Outline drawing of two hands holding a heart.

REDUCE STIGMA

Reduce stigma and increase support for adults experiencing and living with mental health problems.

Courses

Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, we teach course participants how to approach someone they are concerned about and initiate a conversation. Participants also learn how to offer initial support and information, and how to encourage the person to seek professional help. Please note, MHFAiders are not therapists or counsellors, nor can they diagnose mental illnesses.

Standard Mental Health First Aid

The Standard Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to another adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem. (See the page for this course on the Mental Health First Aid Australia website).

  • Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: 

    • Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in adults 

    • Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation 

    • Know the barriers to help-seeking and how to overcome these 

    • Assess for a range of crisis situations and provide initial support 

    • Understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses, risk factors and treatments and supports available 

    • Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider 

  • This course covers common and disabling mental health problems and crisis situations. Participants learn how to apply mental health first aid to adults across a range of situations, including:

    • Depression

    • Anxiety

    • Psychosis

    • Substance use problems

    • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours

    • Panic attacks

    • Non-suicidal self-injury

    • Traumatic events

  • The 12-hour course can be delivered in 1 of 3 ways:

    Face-to-face: 2 x 6-hour sessions over 2 days
    Blended Face-to-Face: Self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by a 4-hour face-to-face session
    Blended Online: Self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by 2 x 2.5-hour videoconferencing sessions

Youth Mental Health First Aid

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person (aged 12–18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem. (See the page for this course on the Mental Health First Aid Australia website).

  • Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: 

    • Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in young people 

    • Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation 

    • Assess for a range of crisis situations and provide initial support 

    • Understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses, risk factors and treatments and supports available 

    • Distinguish between normal and expected changes during adolescence and development of mental health problems 

    • Understand the scope of the Mental Health First Aider role and the medical rights of minors 

    • Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider.

  • This course covers common and disabling mental health problems and crisis situations. Participants learn how to apply mental health first aid to young people across a range of situations, including: 

    • Depression 

    • Anxiety 

    • Eating disorders 

    • Substance use problems 

    • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours 

    • Panic attacks 

    • Non suicidal self-injury

  • The 14-hour course can be delivered in 1 of 3 ways:

    Face-to-face: 2 x 7-hour sessions over 2 days

    Blended Face-to-Face: self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by a one day (7 hours) OR 2 x half days (3.5 hours) face-to-face sessions

    Blended Online: self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by 3 x 2.5-hour videoconferencing sessions

Mental Health First Aiders

A MHFAider is someone who has completed a Mental Health First Aid Australia course, gaining the ability to recognise a mental health problem or mental health crisis, and the practical skills and confidence to respond effectively and provide help.

Bookings and enquiries

Become a Mental Health First Aider with Essential Training Oz! For bookings, and to find out upcoming course dates, please get in touch.

Face to face sessions: $440 per person.

Online blended: $350 per person.

Cartoon of a happy tortilla and a taco with filling, holding hands, with the text 'Don't hide your fillings...'