Mental Health First Aid Short Course
The Mental Health First Aid live online short course will qualify you to assist somebody suffering from a mental health emergency or crisis.
Gain the essential skills and confidence to recognise and support people with a range of mental health issues – whether friends, family, colleagues, or members of the public – until professional help arrives.
On successful completion of this course, you will be certified by Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFAA).
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Duration
5 to 7 hours pre reading material plus 2 x 2.5hrs live online Instructor lead sessions. Both must be completed within three months.
Intakes
Online (January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Just like First Aid training for physical injuries and incidents, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
Many people feel uncomfortable and unprepared when thinking about starting a mental health conversation with someone they are concerned about. Understanding how to talk about mental health and having the confidence and knowledge to help someone in need are important skills that any person in the community can learn. In this informative and practical course, you will learn about the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health problems in adults, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide mental health first aid in a crisis situation using a practical, evidence-based Action Plan.
Our course is delivered by an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor. The MHFAA Blended Online Community Course has been adapted from the Standard Mental Health First Aid Course for adults especially for the current COVID-19 environment.
On successful completion of the prerequisite eLearning component, live online sessions and assessment, a MHFAA Certificate valid for 3 years will be issued.
Course structure
To be certified by MHFAA, both Course Components 1 and 2 must be completed in order, within a 3-month period.
Prerequisite:
Course Component 1 – 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
Course Component 2 – 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.
Units of study
Mental Health First Aid (HEAS00001)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities and course aims and objectives.
Career opportunities
- Add Mental Health First Aid to your resume for employment requirements
- Extra study for current Certificate IV Mental Health students, or any Swinburne student.
Aims and objectives
Upon completion of the program you will:
- 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.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Entry requirements
Completion of the self-paced eLearning component (5-7 hours) Mental Health First Aid Australia Blended Online MHFAA Community course.
Enrol with Swinburne and pay $165 for the live online course component. You will receive confirmation and details of how to access Mental Health First Aid Australia to register ($88) and complete the Prerequisite Course Component through MHFAA.
How to apply
Find out more
Fees: $253. Enrol with Swinburne and pay $165 for the live online course component. You will receive confirmation and details of how to access Mental Health First Aid Australia to register and pay $88, and, complete the prerequisite course component through MHFAA.
Location - Live instructor-led online sessions, blended eLearning activities and online assessment.
Course Dates
September Intake – 14 and 21 September (6-8:30pm)
October Intake – 12 and 19 October (6-8:30pm)
November Intake – 9 and 16 November (6-8:30pm)
December Intake – 7 and 14 December (6-8:30pm)
Trainers/Facilitators:
Anita Mahoney
Anita's professional and real life experiences bring vibrancy to her training sessions, ensuring you leave well informed and enlivened. She is an engaging presenter who has been recognized for her strong communication skills. As an experienced motivational speaker she is able to adapt her communication style to reflect the needs of any audience.
Anita has a strong commitment to see change in the areas of family violence and mental health. She works as a Trainer and Assessor in the Certificate IV Mental Health at Swinburne, and is currently trained in the NDIS to help support better understanding of psychosocial disabilities.
She holds a Bachelor Behavioural Studies (Psychology), as well as Diplomas in Counselling and Youth Work. Her work history includes ten years in wellbeing studies within the public education system, and after working within a women’s refuge for five years she is now a Board Member.
Andrew Cookson
Andrew is a Master Instructor in Mental Health First Aid, having delivered over 100 programs to students, organisations, workplaces, and the general public.
He has many years’ experience as a crisis telephone counsellor, teacher, mental health worker, peer educator in mental health and support group leader.
He brings to his sessions not only extensive study in multiple areas of psychology and other sciences, but also lived experience, and the knowledge of how to use it. Expect an enjoyable educational experience, covering content that can be heavy at times, also marked by appropriate lighter moments, as part of Andrew’s natural warm and engaging teaching style.
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059