FAQs - Mental Health First Aid

The cost to attend a Public Blended MHFA course is $340 per person

Please contact us to discuss the cost of the Standard or Youth MHFA face-to-face course.

We all have physical and mental health, and sometimes we experience periods of being unwell.

Commonly we know a bit about physical health, when we are unwell or experiencing an ailment, we see a doctor. But in terms of mental health less is known in the general public about signs and symptoms and treatment options available. Even if we think that someone may be experiencing a decline in their mental state we might not know what to do or say, especially if we have a professional relationship with that person, such as in the workplace.

Mental Health First Aid is similar in a sense to physical first aid training. As a Mental Health First Aider (someone who has completed the MHFA course and has sat their exam) they are taught the skills to recognise signs and symptoms of common mental health issues.

More and more organisations understand why their workplaces need mental health first aiders at work and are providing mental health first aid courses in their workplace. Mental ill health has a huge impact on the workplace.

In Australia, there is no current legislation that says you need to have Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace, but we believe that it is beneficial to have as many MHFAiders as you do physical first aiders. And if you have the scope and capacity to train more staff, then that's even better!

Completing a Mental Health First Aid course is especially recommended for people managers at all levels to give them the skills to spot an employee experiencing a mental health decline and provide appropriate support in the workplace. The Workplace Mental Health First Aid course can be delivered either over two full days or by blended delivery (eLearning plus face to face or Zoom). For those who work with young people, there is a Youth-specific Mental Health First Aid course offered both face to face and via the blended model.

It is beneficial to raise awareness of mental health concerns right across the organization, and Wellbeing Campus has developed a ½ or full-day Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolbox course specifically designed to increase the mental health literacy of large teams. This bespoke session also allows time for participants to develop their own self-care plans and build wellbeing skills.

Like physical illness, recovery from mental health isn't linear; people have their ups and downs, and we like to consider life as a recovery journey. It's imperative that workplaces understand how to support their employees through times of physical or mental ill health through a positive work environment free from stigma and judgment. Book Today

Yes, Mental Health First Aid is definitely worth it. Here are a few reasons why:

Increased knowledge and understanding: Mental Health First Aid training provides valuable knowledge about mental health issues, their signs, symptoms, and appropriate responses. This knowledge helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health and allows individuals to better understand and support those experiencing mental health challenges.

Early intervention and prevention: Mental Health First Aid equips individuals with the skills to recognise early signs of mental health problems. By intervening early and offering initial support, it is possible to prevent situations from worsening and possibly preventing secondary impacts in a person’s life. Early intervention is crucial for promoting better mental health outcomes.

Improved communication and support: The training enhances participants' communication skills, teaching them effective ways to approach and engage with individuals facing mental health issues. This can make a significant difference in offering empathetic and non-judgmental support, fostering a sense of understanding, and encouraging those in need to seek appropriate help.

Building a compassionate community: By completing Mental Health First Aid training, individuals contribute to creating a more compassionate and supportive community. They become advocates for mental health, reducing stigma, and helping to create an environment where people feel safe and supported in seeking help.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) are two distinct approaches to providing support. PFA focuses on immediate post-crisis assistance, aiming to help individuals and meet their immediate needs following a traumatic event.

On the other hand, MHFA is a training program that equips individuals with the skills to recognise signs of mental health problems, offer initial support, and encourage people to seek appropriate professional help.

While PFA addresses crisis situations and emphasises empathy and practical assistance, MHFA has a broader scope, focusing on mental health conditions, risk factors, and early intervention in various contexts. Both approaches are crucial in providing support but differ in their timeframe, focus, and techniques utilised.

The Blended Online Mental Health First Aid Community Course is based on our Standard Mental Health First Aid course and is suitable to anybody in the community that is seeking to undertake first aid training to be able to assist an adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received.

The Blended Online Mental Health First Aid Workplace course on the other hand is suitable for anyone wanting to learn how to apply mental health first aid actions within a workplace setting. This includes learning the steps to be able to apply mental health first aid to an employee or colleague who might be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis. The course is also suitable for workforces who are wanting to learn more about how to apply reasonable adjustments to support someone who is experiencing a mental health condition.

Completion of both Course Component 1 and 2 for either course will mean you are eligible to complete the relevant course assessment to become accredited as a MHFAider.

Whilst it’s not compulsory, some workplaces choose to appoint formal MHFAiders in the workplace. And their role is to provide support and be a point of contact if someone could benefit from a mental health first-aid conversation. Maintaining appropriate boundaries in the workplace is a key element of successfully providing mental health first aid and keeping yourself safe and well.

It’s important to that MHFAiders are not trained counsellors or provide therapeutic intervention, nor are they able to diagnose someone (let’s face it, that’s unrealistic after a 12-hour course) or provide ongoing support.

However, following the completion of the Mental Health First Aid course, you will be able to

• Understand the important factors that impact mental health – risk and protective factors

• Identify signs and symptoms of common mental illness

• Utilise the ALGEE framework which will help guide you on how to have a conversation about mental health

• Listen non-judgementally

• Where to find appropriate resources to support someone who may experience a decline in their mental state.

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· You can demonstrate that you have mental health first aid knowledge and skills.

· You are eligible to be appointed as a Mental Health First Aid Officer in your workplace.

· You will receive a reminder in 3 years’ time when you are due to complete an MHFA Refresher Course.

Not all training programs belong to the Vocational Education and Training (VET) scheme and Mental Health First Aid Australia has chosen not to be part of it to date. The setting up of VET was to ensure that training programs reach at least an acceptable level of rigour, however, MHFA Australia already has a level of academic research and rigour that is greater than is required by VET. Also, to maintain this academic rigour, we believe it is important to restrict who can train MHFA Instructors, rather than allow any Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to do this.

MHFA Australia completed a five year research project to develop National MHFA Guidelines. Since 1st July 2015, MHFA Australia has developed a 3 year accreditation program for MHFA participants to accredit them against these guidelines. It is similar to the way National First Aid Standards (which are used to develop and update Red Cross, St Johns Ambulance, etc. First Aid Courses) are held by the Australian Resuscitation Council. Read more about the MHFAider Accreditation Program.

Some TAFE institutions in NSW and the ACT have made the 12-hour Standard MHFA course eligible as recognised prior learning for the Cert IV in Mental Health (non-clinical).

As far as we are aware from the published literature, this is the only mental health education course for the public that has strong evidence for its effectiveness. The level of evidence meets the top National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) criteria.