Mental Health First Aid – Certificate Program

Anxiety, depression, psychosis... what's it all about?

Despite one in five people within Australia developing a mental health problem each year, there is still widespread ignorance in the community and workplaces. Unfortunately, with ignorance comes stigma and stereotypes, which impact on people's confidence in disclosing and seeking appropriate support.

How many of you know how to provide appropriate assistance to colleagues, friends, students, patients, consumers or family members that may disclose they have a mental illness?

This 12 hour Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course developed through the Orygen Research Centre and has been delivered nationally. This program provides participants with a clear understanding of Mental Health and defines the symptoms, causes and evidence-based treatments for common Mental Health topics such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Psychosis
• Substance Use Disorder

The program also addresses the possible crisis situations arising from mental health problems and steps to help. These include: suicidal tendencies; panic attacks, trauma; acute psychosis, violent behaviour and overdose.

A key feature of this program includes the five steps of Mental Health First Aid and these will assist all participants to feel more confident in applying appropriate interventions.

Participants receive a course manual and also a certificate at the completion of the course. Those who have completed the course have been very positive about the knowledge and skills they have acquired.

Learning areas

• Mental Health in Context
• Prevalence of Mental Health Problems
• Understand different attitudes to mental illness - Stigma and Discrimination
• Identify the signs and symptoms of prevalent mental health problems
• Gain awareness of the causes of mental illness
• 5 Steps of Mental Health First Aid
• Depressive disorders and MHFA
• Anxiety Disorders and MHFA
• Substance Usage Disorders and MHFA
• Psychosis and MHFA
• Understand the impact of stress within the workplace
• Crisis interventions

Who should attend?

• Teachers
• Nurses
• Case managers
• Support workers
• Social welfare staff
• Employment agencies staff
• Personnel staff
• Members of the general public
• OH&S officers
• Staff of many Commonwealth State and Local Government Departments

Package dates

Program Length

2 full days

For more information

For any queries in relation to this program, please contact Donna de Zwart on (03) 9608 0900 or via email: donna@diversityatwork.com.au

Please note that we can also tailor this, or any other of our courses, specifically to meet the individual needs of your organisation.