Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training
An intensive training course that equips adults with the knowledge and skills, to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA courses to other adults.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults experiencing mental health problems.
IMPROVE THE CAPACITY FOR COMMUNITY CARE
Equip adults with the skills needed to intervene early and offer support to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adult when it matters most.
ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Strengthen your knowledge, communication skills and crisis intervention techniques.
JOIN A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
Contribute to improving mental health, reducing stigma and creating a more compassionate and informed society.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training Course trains suitable individuals to become a Licensed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Instructor. It empowers individuals to educate others about mental health, reduce stigma and promote early intervention and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may be experiencing mental health problems.
This strengths-based course has been developed and reviewed in consultation with Australia’s First Nations people. The course ensures participants are grounded in social and emotional well-being from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective.
Course participants learn about key statistics and the evidence that underpins the delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA training. With a focus on facilitation and instructional techniques, they learn a comprehensive set of skills to effectively delivery training to diverse audiences. This includes the use of teaching materials, facilitating discussions, managing group activities and application of the MHFA practical, evidence-based action plan.
Adults who successfully complete the course become Licensed Mental Health First Aid Instructors. Licensed Instructors can work as independent licensees, delivering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA courses in workplaces and communities, or they may be employed by an organisation to deliver training to their colleagues or other individuals supported by the organisation.
Culturally appropriate & effective: Research has found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid courses to be culturally appropriate and effective.
Watch this short video to learn more about our course.
Course information
Delivery format
Face-to-Face
Duration
5 days
Take the next step
For individuals or smaller groups
For larger groups
Course Overview
Course participants engage in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA course content and learn how to approach and deliver the material as an Instructor. Participants are guided through the course material and learn how to effectively debrief following course activities, films and discussions.
Participants learn about mental health problems in community and further develop their own mental health literacy. They engage in skill-based facilitation activities to equip them with the skills to deliver mental health first aid training in a culturally safe and informed way. Participants are introduced to the administrative systems which support their course management and Instructor journey.
The course includes two assessment activities: an exam component and presenting a section of the course to the group.
Duration & Format
This course is delivered face-to-face over 5 days by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander MHFA Master Trainer.
There are two training delivery options available:
- Public Instructor Training Courses: Available for individuals and groups smaller than 10
- Private Instructor Training Courses: Available for groups larger than 10
Eligibility
Licensed Instructors are not required to be mental health professionals, nor to have qualifications in mental health.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following selection criteria:
- Identify as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- Knowledge of social and emotional wellbeing and mental health problems experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including available treatments and support services
- Personal or professional experience supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with social and emotional wellbeing and mental health problems
- Respectful attitudes towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with mental health problems
- Enthusiasm to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA courses
- Excellent group facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills
- Individual acknowledgement of license maintenance requirements or organisational support to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA courses
- Hold a valid Working with Children Check from their state/territory of residence
Application Process
Applicants for both public and private courses must complete an online application at least 4 weeks prior to the commencement of the training and demonstrate how they meet the selection criteria, including specific examples where required.
Applications will be reviewed against our stated eligibility criteria.
Once provisionally approved, applicants will need to submit a Working with Children Check and complete payment.
Note: We reserve the right to reject any individual application at our sole discretion. An accepted application for one license type does not guarantee acceptance or suitability for other license types.
The Instructor’s personal anecdotes helped humanise the learning experience for me. I felt in great hands during the entire course. Thanks so much for everything you are doing to lift capacity amongst our peoples.
The strength of the course is that it empowers oneself to empower others and increase education and knowledge.
A curriculum that has a long and empirical history of research, design, monitoring and objective evaluation and continuous improvement.
