Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Blended Online Course (Jul 25, 2025)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Blended Online Course is organized by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and will be held on Jul 25, 2025.

Description:
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses teach participants how to assist people 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.

The Standard Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to another adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received, or the crisis resolves. Course 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.

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 or other supports. Adults who complete the course become Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders), equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to provide someone with mental health information and support when it matters most.

This Standard Mental Health First Aid course is delivered in a Blended Online format, consisting of 5-7 hours of self-paced eLearning, followed by a 5-hour virtual workshop led by a MHFA trained and Licensed Instructor.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in adults
• Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation
• Know the barriers to help-seeking and how to overcome these
• Assess for a range of crisis situations and provide initial support 
• Understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses, risk factors and treatments and supports available
• Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider

Course Content:

This course covers common and disabling mental health problems and crisis situations. Participants learn how to apply mental health first aid to adults across a range of situations, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Panic attacks
• Non-suicidal self-injury
• Traumatic events