Mental Health First Aid in the workplace
No doubt, you're already thinking about how you can create a mentally healthy workplace.
You are not alone; more and more workplaces are realising the impact of mental health problems at work on their people and productivity.
Encouraging early help-seeking is one way to promote a mentally healthy workplace. This is where Mental Health First Aid can help.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training course which gives your employees the skills and confidence to have supportive conversations with their co-workers and help guide them to professional help if needed. It has been shown to increase knowledge, confidence and helping behaviours, and reduce stigma.
Ignoring mental health makes no business sense
1 in 5 Australian adults experiences a mental illness in any given year
Mental ill health costs Australian workplaces $4.7 billion in absenteeism, $1.6 billion in presenteeism and $146 million in compensation claims per year
Only 22% of full-time workers with signs of common mental illness receive treatment for their mental health problems
MHFA courses available to workplaces
MHFA has a range of course offerings for different settings and audiences. Click the link below to see an overview of all MHFA courses.
Be recognised
Your organisation can be recognised for your commitment to Mental Health First Aid through the Skilled Workplace program.
How we help you implement MHFA training
We have supported many organisations to implement Mental Health First Aid training, from small retail shops to large construction and mining groups, hospitals, schools, government agencies and everything in between. We are here to help you along your journey, so please get in touch.
Why choose MHFA training for your business
The only internationally recognised evidence-based anti-stigma mental health first aid training program for workplaces.
MHFA is based on the well known physical first aid model. This model is well understood in the community and action focussed which helps participants to easily use the skills and knowledge gained in training.
Employees will develop relevant and practical skills that can be used across a variety of situations. Our training is complementary to other programs that are aimed at building awareness of mental health problems in the workplace.
There are face-to-face and blended (eLearning plus face-to-face) options for delivery. Many workplaces also train an employee to become an Accredited Instructor to deliver MHFA – a cost-effective and sustainable option.
Why your staff should complete a course
Confidence to help
They will learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems.
Evidence based
MHFA courses are evidence based and are regularly evaluated and updated.
Action plan
They will learn the ALGEE action plan and be equipped with the skills to help an individual with a mental health problem.
Be accredited
They can complete a standardised assessment and be recognised as an Accredited MHFAider for 3 years.
MHFA officers
People who attend the training can complete an online assessment to be accredited as a Mental Health First Aider.
The accreditation is valid for three years, at which time participants can renew.
Just like appointing physical first aid officers, many organisations choose to appoint accredited Mental Health First Aiders to the role of Mental Health First Aid officer within the workplace.
Mental Health First Aid Officers are appointed and supported to:
- Provide mental health first aid within their worksite
- Escalate any matters in a prompt and appropriate fashion according to relevant organisational policy and procedures.
Comments and feedback from previous participants
The MHFA training received universal high praise from participants. We received feedback that the course was “important”, “eye opening” and “very powerful”. People have reported that the training not only improved their understanding of mental distress and how to provide aid, but that it also gave them a better understanding of themselves and they learned skills that are applicable in many situations.
Hail Creek Mine
People are at the core of everything we do. Having a passionate and skilled workforce who feel supported and can support each other is vitally important to our success. (West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority)
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
Incredibly valuable, relevant and worthwhile course to do. It has raised awareness and confidence in the staff to be able to have the right conversations at the right time.
Western Australian Symphony Orchestra