An introduction to the Standard MHFA course
The 12-hour Standard Mental Health First Aid course is for any interested adult.
You will learn how to assist an adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence-based action plan.
This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals.
What’s the format?
This is a 12-hour course, which is usually delivered as either:
A 2-day training package (6 hours per day), or as 4 separate modules (3 hours each)
Who can attend?
Any adult can attend.
What is the cost?
MHFA Australia does not centrally coordinate courses or set fees. Your local instructor can confirm their attendance fees.
Why attend a course?
Evaluations consistently show that MHFA training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments and appropriate first aid strategies, and confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness. It is also associated with decreased stigma and an increase in help provided.
MHFA course
accreditation
Demonstrate your mental health first aid skills by becoming an Accredited Mental Health First Aider. Complete an online assessment after the course to become Accredited.
What the course covers
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 first aid in a crisis situation.
This is an education course, to learn how to give first aid to others, and is not a therapy or support group.
Developing mental health problems covered
Mental health crisis situations covered
Find a Standard
MHFA course near you
Mental Health First Aid courses are run all over Australia. Click the button below and search for a Standard MHFA course in your area.
Download the
Standard course flyer
Comments and feedback from
previous participants
"Excellent - a course that as many people as possible should be doing. Should be mandatory in all workplaces to have mental health officers"
Pia
"I enjoyed learning the skills to be an MHFAider. The content was interesting and the facilitators made me feel at ease, even with the more sensitive content"
Georgia
"One of the most engaging and informative learning opportunities I've ever had. Opportunities to use the skills learnt were also common and relevant"
Charlotte