Course Description
The Blended MHFA Community Course has been adapted from the Standard Mental Health First Aid Course for adults. Course specific content, health system information and resources are related to the provision of Mental Health First Aid within Australia.
In this informative and practical course, you will 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 mental health first aid in a crisis situation using a practical, evidence-based action plan.
Mental health first aid skills learnt by participants in this course can be applied in any setting. Course content includes case-studies, videos and resources tailored to the learning needs of community/public course participants.
Course Component
The Blended MHFA Community Course includes two course components.
Course Component 1 –Self-paced interactive eLearning (Approx. 5 - 8 hours)
The eLearning course component presents an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises.
Developing mental health problems covered include:
- Depression
- Anxiety problems
- Psychosis
- Substance use problems
Mental health crises covered:
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Panic attacks
- Traumatic events
- Severe psychotic states
- Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
- Aggressive behaviour
Course Component 2 – Instructor-led component
- 2 x 3 hour Live sessions via Zoom.
Course Component 2 provides participants with the opportunity to:
- Revise the eLearning content and the MHFA Action Plan
- Clarify any points of uncertainty remaining after completion of the eLearning modules
- Apply the MHFA Action Plan to relevant scenarios
- Discuss and reflect 'a where to from now' in using mental health first aid skills
- Develop a self-care plan to maintain good mental health.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is a MHFA requirement that a particiant MUST complete all of the eLearning component before they can attend the Zoom sessions. Component 2 must also be completed within 3 months of completing component 1 (eLearning).
Please note: This course is not a therapy or a support group
Eligibility Criteria
Course participants are required to be an Australian resident and over the age of 18.