Mental Health First Aid for Community Sector Workers

The Mental Health First Aid is a 2 day evidence based program that equips people to respond to someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing condition or is having a mental health crisis. MHFA will teach you how to recognise, provide initial assistance and guide people to appropriate treatments and support. The course covers forms of anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis and suicide. It will enable you to feel confident and be able to step forward to support clients, colleagues, friends and family members. There is an optional post course open book exam which may be undertaken to become an accredited mental health first aider.

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Course Content:

Developing mental health problems

• Depression
• Anxiety problems
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems

Mental health crises

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Non-suicidal self-injury (self-harm)
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe psychotic states
• Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
• Aggressive behaviours

We will also look at:

• Identifying and supporting colleagues at risk
• Working with clients with complex needs including mental health issues

Note: The Mental Health First Aid Manual is included in the workshop fee.

Who should attend?

Community sector workers and those supervising workers (including those doing home visiting and assertive outreach)