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Mental Health First Aid

What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?

MHFA courses teach mental health first aid strategies to members of the public. Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem, or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Who can attend training?

Any interested adult (18 years and over) can attend. Please note, training is not intended as a therapy or support group, rather they are education programs to learn how to give first aid to others. MHFA Australia will issue a statement of participation to students after completion of an online quiz.

MHFA courses available at CIT:

CIT offers a range of MHFA options, all delivered by a MHFA Australia accredited instructor. Please note that most courses run with a minimum of 10 students, and can host a maximum of 20 students. CIT reserves the right not to offer courses where there are insufficient student enrolments.

  • Standard MHFA  Standard MHFA
    • Overview: Standard Mental Health First Aid teaches people (18 years and over) how to offer initial support to adults who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. The course curriculum is evidence-based, as informed by the MHFA Guidelines.
    • Training format: 12-hour training delivered as a two-day training workshop. Training participants receive a copy of the Standard MHFA Manual to keep and a MHFA certificate of completion.
    • Cost: $275
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: Classes are hosted from 9am - 4pm. All potential participants MUST be able to attend both days of the training.
    • Next training dates:
      Thursdays, February 21 and 28: Click here to book!
      Fridays, March 22 and 29: Click here to book!
      Fridays, May 10 and 17: Click here to book!
      Saturdays, October 19 and 26: Click here to book!
  • Standard MHFA Refresher  Standard MHFA Refresher Course
    • Overview: Standard MHFA Refresher allows people who have previously completed a Standard Mental Health First Aid course to refresh their knowledge and skills. For people who are Accredited MHFAiders, the refresher course offers an opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further three years. You may take the Refresher course up to three months after your accreditation has expired.
    • Training format: Four hour workshop
    • Cost: $150
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: 9am - 1pm
    • Next training dates: To be confirmed. Register your interest below.
  • Youth MHFA  Youth MHFA
    • Overview: Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to assist adolescents (those aged between 12 and 18 years) who are developing a mental illness, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Participants learn about adolescent development, the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people, where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation. This training is particularly suitable for parents, teachers, sports coaches, and youth workers.
    • Training format: 14-hour training delivered as a two-day training workshop. Training participants receive a Youth MHFA Manual and a MHFA certificate of completion.
    • Cost: $275
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: Classes are hosted from 9am - 4pm. All potential participants MUST be able to attend both days of the training.
    • Next training dates:
      Fridays, May 10 and 17: Click here to book!
      Saturdays, November 9 and 16: Click here to book!
  • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander MHFA  Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander MHFA
    • Overview: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander MHFA teaches people (18 years and over) how to assist an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander adult who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The course covers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health problems in communities and mental health first aid strategies for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A study found that the program is culturally appropriate, that it empowers Aboriginal people and that it provides information that is highly relevant in assisting Aboriginal people with a mental illness. Read more here.
    • Training format: 14-hour training delivered as a two-day training workshop. Training participants receive a AMHFA Manual and a MHFA certificate of completion.
    • Cost: $275
    • Location: Room F05, F Block, CIT Reid
    • Time: Classes are hosted from 9am - 4pm. All potential participants MUST be able to attend both days of the training. Minimum class of 12 participants required to run.
    • Next training dates:
      To be confirmed. Register your interest below.
  • MHFA for Tertiary Students  MHFA for Tertiary Students
    • Overview: MHFA for Tertiary Students teaches TAFE and University students how to assist a fellow student who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Course participants will learn mental health first aid skills that can be applied to help any adult. Course content is tailored to the student setting using case-studies, videos and resources tailored to their learning needs. Course participants first complete the interactive self-paced eLearning component that presents an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises. The follow-on face-to-face training allows participants the opportunity to revise and consolidate skills in a group environment, and to address mental health problems in more depth.
    • Training format: Blended delivery with an online workshop on MHFA.com plus a four hour face-to-face training workshop.
    • Cost: online component $50*, CIT workshop component $75
      *From August 21, 2017 until June 2019 this eLearning component is free for selected first year health and allied health tertiary students. Funding has been received from the Australian Government Department of Health.
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: 12pm - 4pm
    • Next training dates: Friday July 26: Click here to book!
      Monday October 28: Click here to book!
  • MHFA in the Workplace  MHFA in the Workplace
    • Overview: MHFA in the Workplace teaches managers, supervisors and individuals how to assist a co-worker who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. However course participants will learn mental health first aid skills that can be applied to help any adult. Course content is tailored to the workplace setting using case-studies, videos and resources tailored to their learning needs. Course participants first complete the interactive self-paced eLearning component that presents an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises. The follow-on face-to-face training allows participants the opportunity to revise and consolidate skills in a group environment, and to address mental health problems in more depth.
    • Training format: Blended delivery with an online workshop on MHFA.com plus a four hour face-to-face training workshop.
    • Cost: MHFA online component $150, CIT workshop component $75
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: 9am - 1pm
    • Next training dates: Friday August 30, Click here to book!
  • MHFA for the Suicidal Person  MHFA for the Suicidal Person
    • Overview: Do you know how to help someone that is feeling suicidal? Learn practical skills to improve your confidence in this half-day course. The four hour Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person course is a stand-alone course that complements the 12-hour Standard MHFA course, Blended MHFA Courses and the 14-hour Youth MHFA course.
    • Training format: Four hour workshop
    • Cost: $150
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: 9am - 1pm
    • Next training dates: Friday June 28, Click here to book!
  • MHFA for Gambling Problems  MHFA for Gambling Problems
    • Overview: MHFA for Gambling Problems will teach you how to identify approach and support someone experiencing gambling problems. In Australia, about 1.1% of the adult population (about 200,000 people) can be categorised as having gambling problems, with a further 230,000 to 350,000 experiencing moderate risks that may make them vulnerable to gambling problems. Many Australian's lives are impacted directly and indirectly as a result of problem gambling. Those with gambling problems are at increased risk of suicide and likely to experience mental health problems including depression, anxiety and substance use problems. This course aims to address these concerns by teaching community members how to provide mental health first aid to people experiencing gambling problems.
    • Training format: Four hour workshop
    • Cost: $150
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: 9am - 1pm
    • Next training dates: Friday August 16, Click here to book!
  • MHFA-for-Non-Suicidal-Self-Injury   MHFA for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
    • Overview: The MHFA for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury course will teach you how to identify, approach and support someone who is engaging in self-injury using a practical, evidence based Action Plan. You will also have the opportunity to practise your new skills in a safe environment. The term ‘non-suicidal self injury’ (NSSI) describes a behaviour where a person deliberately or purposefully hurts themselves. It is used to refer to self-injury that is not intended to result in death. This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals.
    • Training format: Four hour workshop
    • Cost: $275
    • Location: Room B115, B Block, CIT Bruce (carpark 9 or 10)
    • Time: 9am - 1pm
    • Next training dates: Friday September 27, Click here to book!

Identification

Once you have booked, you will need to bring proof of ID to your first class. Please bring three forms of ID, including one from each of the following categories:

Photographic ID showing your date of birth. E.g. driver's licence, proof of age card.

Residency ID showing that you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a permanent humanitarian protection visa. E.g. green Medicare card, passport.

Third form of ID showing your name. E.g. bank card, account in your name.

Fee Payment

Please note that all payments must be made via the online booking process, which can either be accessed via the links above if available, or will be sent to your upon your enquiry. Payment must be made prior to commencing the course.

Contact us

If you have any questions, or experience difficulty enrolling online, please complete and submit the contact form below, and a staff member will be in touch soon.

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