12-hour Standard MHFA Course
Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional treatment is received.
The 12-hour Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course teaches adults (18 years and over) how to provide initial support to adults who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. As an illustration the course will teach how to assist someone experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem. Furthermore participants will learn how to help someone who is in a mental health crisis. Ultimately those completing the course will learn how to help people in these situations get the help they need via appropriate professional help 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. Furthermore it provides guidance on how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help. This training course also informs us about 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:
| Mental health crisis situations covered are:
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Course Format
This is a 12-hour course, which can be delivered as either:
- A 2-day training package (6 hours per day), OR
- As 4 separate training modules (3 hours each)
Course participants receive a copy of the Standard MHFA Manual to keep and a Certificate of Completion.
Who can attend a standard Mental Health First Aid course?
Any interested adult can attend this education course with this in mind this course is not a therapy or support group. It is a training course to learn how to give first aid to others. In other words this course will equip you with the skills you need to provide immediate and basic help and support to a friend, colleague, family member or stranger.
Cost
See home page.
Become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider
Participants who complete this training are eligible to complete an online Accreditation Assessment. Consequently they can receive a Mental Health First Aider Certificate of Accreditation valid for 3 years. Learn more.
Claim CPD Points
Most professionals can claim attendance at a MHFA course for CPD with their industry body.
The Standard Mental Health First Aid Course has been endorsed for (CPD) points for a number of professions.
More Information
Download 12 Hour Standard MHFA Info Sheet (263.73 KB)eceived or the crisis resolves. Mental health first aid strategies are taught in training programs provided by the Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA).
The 12-hour Mental Health First Aid course teaches adults (18 years and over) how to provide initial support to adults (18 years or over) who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.
To find a course in your area click here.
Claim CPD Points
Most professionals can claim attendance at a MHFA course for continuing professional development with their industry body. Check directly with the body you are a member of for more information.
The Standard Mental Health First Aid Course has also been endorsed for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Points for a number of professions. This includes Nurses, OTs, Pharmacists, Fitness Instructors, Social Workers, Physiotherapists and others.
What the course covers
Developing mental health problems:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Substance misuse
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called self-harm)
- Panic attack
- After a traumatic event
- Severe psychotic states
- Severe effects of alcohol and drugs
- Aggressive behaviours
Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective. More information about what Mental Health First Aid courses teach here.
Course Format
This is a 12-hour course, which can be delivered as either:
A 2-day training package (6 hours per day), OR
As 4 separate training modules (3 hours each)
MHFA Manual
A manual is provided to each participant attending this 12-hour MHFA course. This Standard MHFA manual can also be purchased online at the MHFA Shop. A review of this manual can be read here.
Who can attend a course?
Any interested adult can attend. 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.
About Mental Health First Aid Courses
Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis (e.g., the person is suicidal or has had a traumatic experience). Like physical first aid, mental health first aid is given until the person receives professional help or until the crisis resolves.
Mental health first aid strategies are taught in evidence-based training courses authored by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia and delivered by accredited MHFA Instructors across the country. MHIST offers MHFA Courses as authored by MHFA Australia, delivered by Instructors who are currently accredited by MHFA Australia.