what is mental health first aid?

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Most of us know about physical first aid - learning how to step in during an emergency to give the right kind of help when it's needed most. Mental Health First aid training works in much the same way. 

It's a practical, skills-based approach that teaches how to recognise when someone may not be travelling well with their mental health and how to step in with support until professional help is available or the situation settles.

Participants learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults, how to recognise and respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem and the treatments and supports available.

Mental Health First Aid uses an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health conversation and encourage early help-seeking. You will learn how to apply MHFA across a range of situations including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events

The 12 hour course can be delivered:

• Face-to-face: 2 x 6 hour sessions over 2 days
• Blended Face-to-face: Self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours) followed by a 4 hour face-to-face session
• Blended Online: Self-paced eLearning (5-7 hours) followed by 2 x 2.5 hour videoconferencing sessions
• NOTE* You don't have to complete the eLearning in one go, you can take your time!

After completing a short online assessment at the end of the course you can become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider which is valid for 3 years.

With a decade of experience delivering Mental Health First Aid to organisations both online and face-to-face Tina is available to relate the content to your industry and work with you to ensure your Mental Health First Aiders feel confident with their skills.

Tina proudly runs public face-to-face Mental Health First Aid training in Brisbane for the Australian Red Cross each month. For more information go to  Mental Health First Aid - Australian Red Cross 

Mental Health First Aid Australia is a leading provider of early intervention, evidence-based global mental health education committed to high-quality research using a broad range of methods, including rigorous scientific studies. For more info visit www.mhfa.com.au/about-us/research-and-evaluation/ 

When you train with Tina, however long ago your course was, regardless of whether you are currently accredited, Tina is available to support you in your mental health conversations.