MENTAL HEALTH PROTECT™
Fully funded training to support veteran mental health
A range of fully funded flexible training programs to support the veteran community to assist others in mental health and suicide prevention.
The Mental Health Literacy and Suicide Prevention Training Program has been funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
No veteran should have to face their battle alone
Our veterans can fight battles we don’t always see.
With the Mental Health Protect program, you can learn to recognise the signs and provide support when it’s needed most – because no veteran should face their battle alone.
By completing free Mental Health First Aid or LivingWorks training, you can gain the skills that may save a life.
Sign up for free, fully funded mental health and suicide prevention training today.
This program is open to all members of the veteran community, including
- Veterans who are ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel
- Families, friends, carers, employers, and colleagues of ex-serving and current ADF personnel
- Health care professionals and community members supporting veterans and their families
- Current serving ADF personnel.
Organise free training for your group or organisation
If you would like to enquire about group or private bookings for any of the courses listed on this page, please complete the form below.
**Please note minimum participant numbers and approval will be required as places are strictly limited under Mental Health Protect program funding.
Standard Mental Health First Aid courses
The Standard Mental Health First Aid course for the veteran community, facilitated by Licensed Instructors within the veteran community, is ideal if you’re looking for the skills, knowledge and confidence to provide initial support to veterans who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.
Face-to-Face
For the veteran community
- Format: Face-to-Face
- Duration: 12 hours (2 days)
2 x 6-hour sessions delivered in-person over 2 days.
Blended Online
For the veteran community
- Format: Blended Online
- Duration: 12 hours (total)
Self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by 2 x 2.5-hour video conferencing sessions.
Blended Face-to-Face
For the veteran community
- Format: Blended Face-to-Face
- Duration: 9-11 hours (total)
Self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours), followed by a 4-hour face-to-face session
Suicide prevention courses from LivingWorks
LivingWorks courses focus on suicide prevention, teaching participants how to recognise and respond to veterans at risk of suicide. Choose from three different courses: Start, safeTALK and ASIST.
Increased risk of suicide in ex-serving males
Ex-serving males are 26% more likely to die by suicide than the general Australian male population.
Increased risk of suicide in ex-serving females
Ex-serving females are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than the general Australian female population
Almost 3 in 4
Almost 3 in 4 Transitioned ADF members have had a mental health disorder at some stage during their lifetime
Resources
Stakeholder pack to help spread the word
Download a pack for ex-service organisations and other stakeholders to promote fully funded mental health literacy and suicide prevention training programs to their community.
Resource list of support services
Download our comprehensive directory of veteran-specific and civilian crisis and support services for individuals experiencing mental health problems.
Program flyer
Download the flyer to learn more about this range of fully funded flexible training programs and see detailed information about the available courses, including different delivery formats and their benefits.
Download and share your pledge
Take your first step in your pledge to protect veteran mental health. Download a virtual badge to share your pledge with your community.
Simply right-click the images and select ‘save as’.
General FAQs
What does the program include?
The program includes evidence-based courses from Mental Health First Aid International and LivingWorks, focusing on mental health literacy and suicide prevention.
The program includes:
|
Course |
Mode |
Duration |
Outline |
|
Standard Mental Health First Aid for the veteran community |
Available in:
|
12 hours |
The Standard Mental Health First Aid course for the veteran community teaches how to provide initial support to another adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. |
|
LivingWorks Start |
Online |
90 minutes |
LivingWorks Start equips participants with fundamental skills to recognise when someone may be thinking about suicide and how to connect them with the necessary help and support. It is also available in French and Spanish. |
|
LivingWorks safeTALK |
Face-to-face |
3-4 hours |
LivingWorks safeTALK empowers people to be more alert to someone with thoughts of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. With over 120,000 participants annually, it is the world’s fastest-growing suicide prevention skills training course. |
|
LivingWorks ASIST
|
Face-to-face
|
2 days |
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Prevention Skills Training (ASIST) is globally acclaimed as the leader in suicide intervention training. Endorsed by professionals and approved by the World Health Organization, ASIST is accessible to everyone and stands as the most evidence-based workshop of its kind. It represents the gold standard in Suicide First Aid with Safety Planning. |
Who can participate in this program?
The Mental Health ProtectTM program is open to adults over 18 years of age who are veterans or ex–serving or current members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), their families, employers, colleagues, carers and community members supporting them, including ex-service organisations, healthcare providers, and support personnel.
Who is this program funded by? Why is this program being funded?
This program is funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) on behalf of the Australian Government. Prevention of veteran suicide is a key priority for the Australian Government, with research showing that certain cohorts of veterans have a significantly higher risk of death by suicide than their civilian peers. The DVA has appointed Mental Health First Aid International to deliver the program of training in conjunction with LivingWorks.
Mental Health First Aid International and LivingWorks courses provide the veteran community with the skills and knowledge needed to recognise signs and symptoms of mental health problems and those at risk of suicide, provide support and intervention, and enable the connection to mental health services. Increased education also helps to reduce the stigma around mental health and suicide that can discourage veterans and their families from connecting with available supports. This is essential in reducing the incidence of suicide within the veteran population.
The veteran community, including ex-service organisations, veterans, families, caregivers and friends, play an important role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of veterans. These groups may be the first point of contact for a veteran who is experiencing mental health problems, distress or suicidal ideation.
Why is mental health literacy and suicide prevention important for veterans?
Veterans face unique challenges that significantly increase their risk of psychological distress and suicide compared to the general public in Australia. Almost 3 in 4 transitioned ADF members have had a mental health disorder at some stage during their lifetime. Ex-serving males are 26% more likely to die by suicide than the general Australian male population, and ex-serving females are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than the general Australian female population.
Veterans often deal with the aftermath of their service, including trauma, stress and the challenges of transitioning back into civilian life. The Mental Health Protect program is designed to provide veterans, their families and support networks with the necessary information, resources, and support to navigate these challenges, ultimately aiming to save lives and improve the quality of life for our veterans.
What does the program include?
The program includes evidence-based courses from Mental Health First Aid International and LivingWorks, focusing on mental health literacy and suicide prevention.
The program includes:
|
Course |
Mode |
Duration |
Outline |
|
Standard Mental Health First Aid for the veteran community |
Available in:
|
12 hours |
The Standard Mental Health First Aid course for the veteran community teaches how to provide initial support to another adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. |
|
LivingWorks Start |
Online |
90 minutes |
LivingWorks Start equips participants with fundamental skills to recognise when someone may be thinking about suicide and how to connect them with the necessary help and support. It is also available in French and Spanish. |
|
LivingWorks safeTALK |
Face-to-face |
3-4 hours |
LivingWorks safeTALK empowers people to be more alert to someone with thoughts of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. With over 120,000 participants annually, it is the world’s fastest-growing suicide prevention skills training course. |
|
LivingWorks ASIST
|
Face-to-face
|
2 days |
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Prevention Skills Training (ASIST) is globally acclaimed as the leader in suicide intervention training. Endorsed by professionals and approved by the World Health Organization, ASIST is accessible to everyone and stands as the most evidence-based workshop of its kind. It represents the gold standard in Suicide First Aid with Safety Planning. |
Who is eligible to participate in the program?
This program is open to all members of the veteran community, including adults over 18 years of age:
- Families, friends, carers, employers, and colleagues of veterans and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel
- Health care professionals and community members supporting veterans and their families.
- Veterans and current serving members from the ADF.
Which organisations are involved in this program?
The Mental Health Protect program is led by Mental Health First Aid International, on behalf of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
Mental Health First Aid International offers mental health literacy training and has teamed up with LivingWorks to include a focus on suicide prevention. Mental Health First Aid International and LivingWorks are both leading global organisations offering evidence-based mental health literacy and suicide prevention training programs.
In addition, DVA has engaged Phoenix Australia to work with Mental Health First Aid International to collect data and evaluate the programs. More information on this is included in the expression of interest participants form.
How many individuals will be trained under this funding?
The Mental Health Protect program will train approximately 4,000 members of the veteran community in Australia. We recommend you book a course as soon as possible to secure your place.
When can I sign up for courses?
Enrolment is open now for some courses, and others are currently inviting individuals to join a waitlist to be notified when courses become available. Please see the Mental Health Protect page for registration or to join waitlists.
When are the courses scheduled?
All courses will be available in August 2024, and will be delivered over a 12-month period until 30 June 2025. Various course dates will be made available on the Mental Health Protect page, and offered in various formats to provide flexibility in program delivery.
Can I take multiple courses?
Yes, you may complete more than one course to gain a comprehensive understanding of mental health and suicide prevention.
The Standard Mental Health First Aid for the veteran community course is focused on teaching the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, and how to provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing these. It has been adapted with video and activities specifically for the veteran community. LivingWorks suicide prevention training focuses on teaching skills and strategies to keep individuals safe from suicide.
Individuals who complete courses from both Mental Health First Aid International and LivingWorks can gain a comprehensive view to support people in their lives at all stages of their mental health journey.
Do you cater for individual learning or accessibility needs?
Yes, we aim to support learnings of all abilities. Please note your needs in the course registration stage or contact us for further assistance.
Is the program being evaluated? Why am I asked to complete surveys or evaluations post-course?
Both Mental Health First Aid International and LivingWorks complete regular course evaluations to improve the learner experience and provide instructors with feedback.
We routinely collect feedback from participants as part of MHFA courses. Participant feedback is an important way for Mental Health First Aid International to ensure that our programs are delivered to a high standard.
With participant permission, feedback provided as part of this course will be de-identified and anonymised, and shared with Phoenix Australia for evaluation purposes. We respect your privacy and at no time pass on your identifiable personal information to any third party.
Please note the data will only be shared with your express consent, as requested in the registration form. If you do not consent to this information being shared, any feedback you provide at the completion of the course will not be shared with Phoenix Australia.
Phoenix Australia have been appointed by the DVA as independent program evaluators to determine the reach and effectiveness of the training being delivered to the veteran community and to identify program insights and improvements.
Are the courses public or private?
You have the option to either register in a public course or organise private training for larger groups. Individuals who complete the registration or expression of interest forms will be matched to a public course, unless the option for group training is selected. Groups of six or more are eligible for private training.
I would like to organise group training. How can I go about this?
As part of this program, you have the option to organise private group training for organisations or community groups. If you are interested in booking a private group course, please email protect@mhfa.com.au with the information below.
- Name of organisation or group
- Number of individuals you would like trained
- Preference for delivery format
- Face-to-face
- Blended face-to-face (eLearning + face-to-face)
- Blended online (eLearning + online video conferencing)
- Preferred dates or date period
- Preferred instructor (if known)
- Location you would like to complete the training (if includes face-to-face)
I work in an organisation whose staff or members would benefit from this training. How can I support this program?
All organisations that support, or work closely with, the veteran community are invited to share the program with their staff or members to equip them with the crucial skills to provide early intervention and suicide prevention support when it matters most.
Organisations and community groups can support the initiative by:
- Directing your community to the Mental Health Protect program page at www.mhfa.com.au/protect
- Sharing the stakeholder resources with your staff or members, such as:
- Sharing posts on your social media accounts or in your newsletters
- Displaying the posters or flyers in your workplace or community setting
- Delivering an information session to your members or community
For how long will this program run?
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs will fund this training until 30 June 2025.
How can I register for the training?
Please submit a registration form available via the Mental Health Protect page. Once you’ve completed the form, a member of the Mental Health First Aid International or LivingWorks teams will contact you to confirm your training.
Are there any prerequisites for attending the training?
No, Mental Health First Aid and LivingWorks courses have been developed for anyone aged 18+ to complete. You do not need to have any prior mental health or suicide prevention training or knowledge.
Where can I find direct mental health and crisis support?
You can find information on supports available to veterans on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Mental Health Support Services page. For non-veteran related mental health supports, please see Mental Health First Aid Australia’s Immediate Help page.
What accreditation or certification do I receive if I complete the training?
Individuals who complete the Standard Mental Health First Aid course can complete a post-course assessment to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider and receive a Certificate of Accreditation valid for 3 years. After 3 years, a refresher course can be completed to extend the Accreditation a further 3 years.
Individuals who complete any of the LivingWorks courses will receive a Certificate of Completion.
What privacy policy is the Mental Health Protect program covered by?
The Mental Health Protect program is covered by Mental Health First Aid International’s Privacy Policy. Any data collection or usage outside of this strictly requires the participant’s express consent.
