Overview

The Mental Health First Aid online short course will qualify you to assist somebody suffering from a mental health emergency or crisis until family and/or professional help arrives.

You'll gain the essential skills and confidence to recognise and support people with a range of mental health issues - from the development of an issue, through to an escalating situation. 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be certified by Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFAA).

Get a copy of our course brochures

Who should attend

This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to assist and stabilise someone experiencing a mental health crisis until professional help arrives.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Mental health first aid skills
  • Communication skills

Learning outcomes

  • Have a greater knowledge of mental illnesses
  • Understand the principles of crisis intervention
  • Know where to go for help
  • Have appropriate first aid strategies
  • Understand Duty of Care
  • Gain confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness
  • Gain knowledge to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness
  • Gain skills in principles of self-care

Why Swinburne?

Delivered by facilitators who are industry experts

Participant course training manual

Live Online delivery allows you to do the course from anywhere

Access to our team of Customer Development Advisors

Source
Upcoming dates
Day(s)
Time
Mental Health First Aid (HESC)
Day(s)
22 & 29 April 2025
Time
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Mental Health First Aid (HESC)
Day(s)
12 & 19 August 2025
Time
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Mental Health First Aid (HESC)
Day(s)
14 & 21 October 2025
Time
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM

What your course could look like

To be certified by MHFAA, both Course Components 1 and 2 must be completed in order, within a 3-month period.

Course Component 1 must be completed prior to commencing Course Component 2.

Self-paced eLearning component (5-7 hours)
Gain an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises.
Developing mental health problems covered include:
Depression
Anxiety problems
Psychosis
Substance use problems
Mental health crises covered:
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Non-suicidal self-injury
Panic attacks
Traumatic events
Severe psychotic states
Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
Aggressive behaviour
Instructor lead live online sessions (2 x 2.5 hours)
Consolidate the application of knowledge gained in Course Component 1 with the development of practical skills in an interactive group environment online.
Revise the eLearning content and the MHFAA Action Plan
Clarify any points of uncertainty remaining after completion of the prerequisite e-learning Apply the MHFAA Action Plan
Develop your skills and participate in relevant scenarios and simulations
Discuss and reflect 'where to from now' in using mental health first aid skills
Develop a self-care plan to maintain good mental health.

On successful completion of both course components and online assessment you will be issued a Nationally Recognised Accreditation Certificate valid for 3 years.

Our Live Online delivery
Live Online Delivery

Our Live Online delivery

Our Live Online delivery is a dynamic, engaging and interactive way to learn remotely. It’s just like face-to-face but with the added benefits of digital technology. Your facilitator will present in real-time, and you will be able to participate in group discussions and collaborate on exercises and group activities using our interactive platforms.

View transcript [PDF 23.1KB]

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