Services

Mental Health First Aid

The 12-hour Standard 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 Mental Health First Aid Guidelines

This course has been widely evaluated in research trials conducted by MHFA Australia and independent organisations. These trials demonstrate that participants who complete the course have advanced knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, appropriate first aid strategies, and confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness. Some studies have also shown improved mental health in those who attend the training, a decrease in stigmatising attitudes and increases in the frequency and duration of support provided to others.
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
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use issues
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