Standard Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) Training

This training teaches first aid skills for adult members of the public to give initial help to adults experiencing mental health problems, in a mental health crisis situation, or in the early stages of a mental illness.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

What the training covers:

Training participants learn about the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems, 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 first aid in a crisis situation.

Developing mental health problems covered are:

• Depression
• Anxiety problems
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems

Mental health crisis situations covered are:

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called deliberate self-harm)
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe effects of drug or alcohol use
• Severe psychotic states
• Aggressive behaviours

Training format

This is a 12-hour training, which is delivered as a 2-day training package hosted at CIT Bruce. Training participants receive a copy of the Standard MHFA Manual to keep and a Certificate of Completion. All potential participants MUST be able to attend both days of the training.

Who can attend this training?

Any interested adult (18 years or over) can attend. Please note this training is not a therapy or support group, rather it is education on how to give first aid to others. This is non-accredited training.

Identification

Once you have enrolled, 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. Eg 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. Eg green Medicare card, passport.
• Third form of ID showing your name. Eg bank card, account in your name.

Fee Payment

Total course cost is $275. This price includes all course materials and refreshments. Please note that all payments must be made through the TryBooking process, which can be accessed via the links above.

After enrolling online, you will be issued with an invoice which can be paid online.

Payment for course fees can also be made in person at CIT Student Services at CIT Reid, CIT Gungahlin and CIT Tuggeranong. We accept EFTPOS payments by debit/credit card.

Payment must be made prior to commencing the course.

Contact

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