Talking about Suicide: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
Equips adults with the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise, understand and respond and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
INTERVENE EARLY
Recognise the warning signs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
OFFER SUPPORT
Learn the skills to have an open, supportive conversation about suicidal thoughts and behaviours with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander person.
RESPOND IN A CRISIS
Respond to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
REDUCE STIGMA
Reduce stigma and shame and increase supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
The Talking About Suicide course teaches participants how to provide initial support to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours, until professional support is received or the crisis resolves.
Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, course participants learn how to approach someone they are concerned about and initiate a conversation about those concerns. Participants also learn how to offer initial support and information and how to encourage the person to seek professional help, and cultural and other supports.
This course has been developed and reviewed in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The course ensures participants are grounded in social and emotional well-being from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective, equipping them with the skills to provide mental health first aid in a culturally safe and informed way.
Licensed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Instructors delivering this course draw upon their own unique and instrumental local cultural knowledge, to enrich the content and enable culturally informed and safe delivery. Our courses can be tailored to specific local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, including cultural consideration, protocols and yarn ups.
This course is recognised by Suicide Prevention Australia as a safe, high-quality, and effective suicide prevention program. Learn more.
Watch this short video to learn more about our course.
Course information
Delivery format
Face-to-Face
Duration
5 hours
Take the next step
For individuals or small groups
For larger groups
Why MHFA?
Evidence-based: All Mental Health First Aid courses are based on guidelines that are informed by people with lived experience, their caregivers, and mental health professionals.
Rigorously evaluated: Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and confidence in providing mental health first aid to individuals.
Skills-based: Teaches the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a difference.
Internationally recognised: Over 6 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across 25 countries.
Culturally appropriate & effective: Research has found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid courses to be culturally appropriate and effective.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for this course are based on cultural knowledge and understandings for adults supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Recognise the signs that indicate someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- Know the current rates of suicide in Australia, with specific information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Understand cultural concepts and considerations from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander perspective.
- Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation, and work with the individual to identify Tools for Safety.
- Know how to assess and assist when someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- Know the barriers to help seeking and how to overcome these.
- Gain an understanding of the evidence-based, local and cultural supports and resources available to someone experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider.
Suitability
This course is suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous individuals, workplaces of all sizes, and volunteer and community-based groups.
Any adult (aged 18+) can attend.
Course Content
- This course covers suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Participants learn how to apply mental health first aid to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- The course considers local perspectives and experiences and utilises lived-experience stories and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander photography, film, and artworks. This representation matters and leads to better outcomes for those participating in training and the people they go on to support.
Duration & Format
The 5-hour course is delivered face-to-face.
All sessions are led by an MHFA trained and Licensed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Instructor.
Accreditation
There is no accreditation for this course.
Course Fees
Mental Health First Aid Australia does not employ the Instructors that it trains and licenses. Therefore, each Licensed MHFA Instructor has the autonomy and flexibility to set their own course fees. Course fees do vary for many reasons which can include course type, individual Instructor qualifications and credentials, course venue, course location (metropolitan vs regional locations), course catering and any course participant subsidies that may be available as a result of a community grant.
One of the most engaging and informative learning opportunities I’ve ever had. Opportunities to use the skills learnt were also common and relevant.
One of the most engaging and informative learning opportunities I’ve ever had. Opportunities to use the skills learnt were also common and relevant.
One of the most engaging and informative learning opportunities I’ve ever had. Opportunities to use the skills learnt were also common and relevant.
