Mental Health First Aid Course

ESSENTIAL TRAINING FOR HR PROFESSIONALS, MANAGERS and EMPLOYEES

Why attend a Mental Health First Aid course and become a Mental Health First Aider?

If you were faced with someone who was in the midst of a mental health crisis or experiencing an emerging mental illness, would you know what to do?

MHFA training logo

Mental health illnesses take a huge toll on worker health and productivity, with the negative impact felt by the individuals themselves, their families, and colleagues.

That is why training employees in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in your workplace is a positive way to demonstrate that your organisation cares about the well-being of its employees. Not only is it the right thing to do, but compliance with employment laws is essential for all employers, and this includes taking steps to provide a work environment that complies with work health and safety legislation. Improving workplace mental health is in everyone’s interest and we all have a role to play.

Our Mental Health First Aid course is designed to train participants to provide initial informal support to other employees in the workplace who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence-based Action Plan.

Why attend an MHFA course?

Evaluations consistently show that MHFA training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments, and appropriate first aid strategies. Having mental health first aid accreditations will equip you with the skills and confidence to assist someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

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What is the format?

Programs are usually run in-house and can accommodate up to 16 participants. This is a 12-hour course which is usually delivered as either a 2-day training package (6 hours per day) or as 4 separate modules (3 hours each).

All course participants will receive a copy of The Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) manual and are eligible to become an accredited Mental Health First Aider within 30 days of completion of the course.

What will You learn?

During the MHFA training, participants will learn:

  • How to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and crises in employees and co-workers
  • The risk factors and appropriate evidence-based treatments and supports
  • How to respond and offer appropriate support to employees, co-workers, family and friends using the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan.

Mental Health problems covered include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety problems
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use problems

Mental health crises covered include:

  • 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

    (Note, this is not a therapy or support group)

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How do you become an accredited Mental Health First Aider at Shift Consulting’s MHFA Training?

First, demonstrate your mental health first aid skills and become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider by completing an online assessment after you have completed the two-day course.

Heidi Nemme, Registered Pyschologist

Meet your facilitator

Based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals, this comprehensive training program is delivered by Heidi Nemme. Heidi is an experienced registered psychologist and workshop facilitator. As a psychologist, Heidi has extensive experience in and understanding of mental health issues. This, combined with her experience working in a variety of workplace industries and settings, means she is able to connect with a diverse range of participants to facilitate a powerful learning experience.