Mental Health First Aid Training

April 5, 2023

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and knowing how to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. That is where Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) comes in. The Standard Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) and Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) courses are designed to equip people with the knowledge and skills they need to provide initial help to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

The SMHFA course is designed for all people over the age of 18 and teaches about the signs and symptoms of common 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 first aid in a crisis situation. The YMHFA course, on the other hand, is specifically designed for people who are working or living with young people, teaching about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in young people, 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.

If you have previously completed an SMHFA or YMHFA course, the refresher courses are available to refresh your knowledge and skills. These courses also offer Accredited MHFAiders an opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further three years.

However, it is important to note that the bushfire funding for these courses will cease on June 30th, 2023, and training will no longer be free of charge post this date. The joint venture between Latrobe Regional Hospital and the Victorian Government is currently providing the training free of charge for East Gippsland and Wellington Shires to aid in bushfire recovery.

It is important to attend the full 12 or 14 hours of training to obtain a certificate of completion. It is also important to remember that the information provided in MHFA courses is for general mental health first aid only and is not intended to be and should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional medical advice.

Take the first step in helping those around you who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis by signing up for an SMHFA or YMHFA course today.