Professional Development PD and Training Opportunities Mental Health First Aid Approximately 20% of Australian adults experience a common mental illness each year. Completing a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course will help you to develop the skills to support a friend, family member or co-worker. 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. Mental health first aid skills learnt by participants in this course can be applied in any setting. Course content includes case-studies, videos and resources tailored to the learning needs of community/public course participants. "Content was clear, engaging and easily comprehendible. I think the trainer summed up hours’ worth of my psychology degree in 5hrs and went beyond by giving me the confidence to apply it. I have already recommended this course!” Mental Health First Aid Training Can Make a Difference MHFA training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments and appropriate first aid strategies, as well as confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness. Research has shown that MHFA training is associated with: Knowledge: improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments and appropriate first aid strategies. Confidence: confidence in providing first aid to a person experiencing a mental health problem. De-Stigmatising: decreases in stigmatising attitudes. Increased Support: increases in the amount and type of support provided to others. Learn how you can assist someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis and make a real difference to your community. The two day MHFA course is available in two workshops (face-to-face or online), teaching adults (18 years and over) how to provide initial support to adults who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. Online MHFA Community Course The new accredited Online MHFA Community Course was developed in response to COVID-19. This course has been adapted from the Standard Mental Health First Aid Course for adults to be suitable for online delivery. Component 1 – Self-paced interactive eLearning (5-7 hours) The eLearning course component presents 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 This self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours) component of the course is completed on Mental Health First Aid Australia’s eLearning platform, and includes the delivery of a hard copy MHFA Standard Course Manual. Component 2 – Instructor-led video conferencing (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Component 2 follows the completion of Course Component 1 – eLearning. Course Component 2 provides course participants with an opportunity to revise content covered in the self-paced eLearning program and to consolidate the application of this content with the development of practical skills in a group environment online. Course Component 2 provides participants with the opportunity to: Revise the eLearning content and the MHFA Action Plan Clarify any points of uncertainty remaining after completion of the eLearning modules Apply the MHFA Action Plan to relevant scenarios Discuss and reflect 'a where to from now' in using mental health first aid skills Develop a self-care plan to maintain good mental health. Both course components of the course are to be completed within a 3-month period. This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals. Standard Mental Health First Aid The face-to-face Standard course is delivered over two days at our head office in Hawthorn East. For larger group bookings of 10 or more participants, we can come to your office if you have suitable facilities. For further information, email the Professional Development Team at [email protected]. Course Schedule Online MHFA Community Course eLearn plus 2 x 2.5 hour online interactive sessions (2.5 hours per day over two days) Face-to-face Standard MHFA 9am – 4pm (2 Full Day Sessions) Upcoming Course Dates: Online MHFA Community CourseDate: Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th November 2022Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm, both daysLocation: The sessions will be held online via Zoom. Additional course dates will be released soon. To be notified of when enrolments are open, please submit your interest here. Please note, our courses are subject to receiving a minimum number of enrolments and conditional to Government restrictions implemented at the time of the course. In the case we are unable to deliver a course face-to-face, a free course transfer will be available to an alternative course date, or a full refund of the course minus any platform ticketing fees. Fees Standard Ticket External Students or Cairnmillar Alumni Cairnmillar Student Online MHFA Community Course $275 $220 $200 Face-to-face Standard MHFA $295 $250 $200 All prices include GST. Course fees include a hard copy course manual and a certificate of completion upon completing the workshop. Participants are also encouraged to undertake an optional online theory assessment following the course to receive Accredited Mental Health First Aider status with Mental Health First Aid Australia for a period of three years. Our programs attract a 10% concession for health care card holders, pensioners and people receiving benefits. Those applying for concessions must provide a copy (photo evidence is accepted) of their social security card or health care card together with their application, via email to [email protected]. Enrol To enrol, please click here. Alternatively, please visit our Event page.