Training Options

Components of the Mental Health First Aid Course are done online at your own time and then participants attend a half day workshop. Learn how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem or are in a mental health crisis. See website https://mhfa.com.au/courses/

NAPHL Apprentices Program

Two day Accredited training to enable participants to run safeTALK workshops. Please note: participants must have attended an ASIST Workshop within the previous 2 years or within 3 months after. 

For information see Livingworks Website

This is an evidence-based course, as informed by the AMHFA Guidelines. This course teaches how to assist an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander adult who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. It includes:  •Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing •Mental health problems in communities  •Mental health first aid strategies for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This course is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the public (18 years and over). It is a 14 hour course, typically conducted in 6 modules over 2 days; however the delivery format is flexible.

This course covers how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Course participants learn about adolescent development, the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people, where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation. Informed by the MHFA Guidelines. The course covers, depression, anxiety problems, psychosis, substance use problems, 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.  This is a 14 hour course which can be delivered over 2 days or as 4 separate modules. The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is for adults working or living with adolescents (those aged between 12 and 18 years), however, the course can be relevant for those helping people who are a little younger or older. This course is particularly suitable for parents, teachers, sports coaches, and youth workers.

The blended e-learning includes a combination of self-paced online eLearning (approx. 5 hrs ) course content and 2 x 2.5 hour ‘face-to-face’ workshops.  The 2 face-face-face workshops are delivered one week apart, via fully interactive video conference (zoom).

Course participants will be required to first complete the interactive self-paced eLearning component that teaches them about mental health problems, mental health crises, and skills to offer initial help to an adult developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.

The follow-on face-to-face sessions will delivered by one of our 3 accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructors via zoom and will allow participants the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills in a group environment, and to apply their skills to specific scenarios. As stated above, the face-to-face zoom component will be delivered min of 1 day up to 1 week apart, only after completing the initial eLearning component.  Class sizes will be between 10 – 12 participants each.

In this course, you will learn how to provide psychological first aid to individuals in acute distress using the Lifeline 3R model: Recognise, Respond and Refer.

This model is applicable in a range of contexts including the workplace, disaster response, critical incidents such as vehicle accidents, assaults, robberies, terrorism and community violence. When appropriately applied, psychological first aid reduces the initial distress experienced in the aftermath of a traumatic incident, and supports short and long term adaptive functioning.

 This model is informed by a whole person approach, which is based on the understanding that those affected by crisis will experience a broad and diverse range of reactions encompassing emotional, social, physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing. The whole person approach also recognises the social-ecological context in which individuals experience traumatic events, and the influence of community resilience and adaptive capacity.

CORES is a not for profit, community based program which educates members of a local community on how to intervene when they encounter a person they believe may be suicidal. The one day course provides participants with an introduction to the topic of suicide including community attitudes and facts (nonclinical). Suicidal thoughts and behaviours are explored through the use of simple models, discussion and setting the scene. Strategies for understanding and assisting a person considering suicide are practised, with a focus on utilising existing community resources.  The training is available for anyone 15 years & over. 15-17 year old participants need to fill out a permission form signed by their parents or guardians.

SafeTalk is an alertness workshop that prepares anyone, regardless of experience or training, to become a suicidealert helper. Content includes: how to notice and respond to situations where thoughts of suicide may be present, provide practical help by using the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep safe) – act quickly to connect the person with someone trained in suicide intervention contribute to building a safer community. Course timeframe is 3.5 hours.

SafeTALK training is for anyone who wants to help prevent suicide, become suicide alert, and contribute to a safer community. Minimum age for Safetalk Training IS 15YRS with a preference to be accompanied by a parent or carer.

LivingWorks Start is a 60-minute online training program that prepares participants with the skills to recognise when someone is having thoughts of suicide and respond to keep them safe. This program is designed for people over the age of 15.

In ASIST, people learn to apply a suicide intervention model. It helps caregivers recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide. It then explores how to connect with them in ways that understand and clarify that risk, increase their immediate safety and link them with further help. The two-day interactive session, with a minimum of two active ASIST trainers present.  Virtually anyone age 16 or older, regardless of prior experience or training. 

The MATES program is an integrated program of training and support. The MATES program uses training as tool to raise awareness that there is a problem with suicide and its contributing risk factors in our industry and how we can all be part of the solution. Support is then provided through clear pathways to help; case management processes that ensure workers in need of support are connected to appropriate help. Along with on-site visits by field officers to support the site and its workers in an ongoing presence until the site closes. This Training falls into three categories: GAT (General Awareness Training): General Awareness Training (GAT) – 45 mins Connector Training – 4HRS ASSIST Training- 2 days

MATES in Construction – All workers in Construction Industry MATES in Mining – All workers in Mining Industry MATES in Energy – Currently running as Pilot program; being delivered across Ergon/QLD Energy MIC started in Queensland and is now nationwide.

Prevalence of mental health and suicide in Australia -Impact of life events and social determinants -Skills and knowledge to identify signs and debunk social myths -Tailored mental health conversation planning tools Communication strategies underpinning effective conversations Suitable referral services, supports and resources. This course is 4 Hours long and is a program developed for 14 yrs to adults for all cultures.

Prevalence of mental health and suicide in Australia -Impact of life events and social determinants -Skills and knowledge to identify signs and debunk social myths -Tailored mental health conversation planning tools Communication strategies underpinning effective conversations,  suitable referral services, supports and resources. this course is 4 hours in length and has been developed for 14 yrs to adults for all cultures.

An awareness and understanding of depression, anxiety and suicide and the brain functions that are occurring -Strategies to reduce the stigma of mental health and derogatory language used regarding mental health -Strategies to improve one’s mental health and well-being.  This is a 2 hour induction to Mental Health and well-being course.

Is a curriculum resource -Free to download -Includes 5 modules split into ready-to-use classroom activities with teacher development notes -Links directly to curriculum learning outcomes TOPICS -Depression -Bipolar disorder -Seeking Help -Helping others -Building wellbeing and resilience -Problem solving.  Linked to Health and Physical Education Curriculum for Years 9-10

Learn the importance of mental fitness -Shown practical ways to build mental strength, flexibility and endurance -Take part in activities that can help to improve overall well-being and resilience. A 30 minute interactive presentation.  Suitable for high school aged students Currently only available in NSW – webinars are available for all Australian locations and run on AEST. 

Delivered by a trained presenter with a lived experience of mental illness during adolescence (either as a consumer or carer) Aimed at educating adults in a young person’s life to -Help increase mental health literacy -Reduce stigma -Promote help seeking, what to look out for and where to go for support. This is a 1 hour program designed for parents, carers and teachers of high school aged students.

Online course with short interactive models which aim to increase understanding of resilience and develop useful resilience building strategies, mindfulness, meditation, taming your emotions, identifying and using your strengths and problem solving. 

Suitable for young people (14-16 years), parents and carers. 

Free

Presentation delivered by a trained youth presenter with lived experience of mental health.  This aim is to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma, promote help seeking, helping others, building wellbeing and resilience and problem solving.

FREE – fees do apply to cover travel and resources costs; donations appreciated.

STORM is a skills based training program and train the trainer model of risk management for suicide prevention. It aims to develop the skills of front line workers in health, social and community services, education and criminal justice services to assess and manage a person at risk of suicide. Specifically it aims to develop complex communication skills through the use of role play, video feedback, attitude change, self-reflection and feedback on practice.  The STORM program comprises 4 1/2 day modules on Assessment of Risk, Safety Planning, Problem Solving and Future Safety Planning and the Self-injury Mitigation program comprises 2 1/2 day modules on Assessment of Risk and Safety Planning. There are 2 packages; a generic package for front line staff and a package for frontline staff working in children and youth services. STORM is a modular program that provides flexibility so it can be modified to suit agency needs. This enables the program to be used with those who with limited knowledge and experience, as well as those with extensive knowledge and experience in risk assessment and management of suicide.  This program is designed for front line staff and volunteers working in health, social and community services, education and criminal justice services and staff with responsibility for the mental health and well-being of staff.