MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA)
Workshops and courses designed to teach people how to provide initial help to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
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The sessions cover a variety of mental health related topics. They are conducted online with accredited Principal Master Instructor Linda Rowley through self-paced modules and instructor led Zoom sessions or in person. ​
Our courses are available to individuals and workplaces throughout Australia.
Workshop attendees can interact with and speak with Linda personally.
The workshops are tailored to your individual needs, industry and workplace.
ALMOST 1 MILLION
Australians have completed a MHFA course
4,500
COURSES
are run in Australia each year
$4.7
BILLION
in mental health related absenteeism within Australian organisations
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA)?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence based training course that started in Australia and is now being taught worldwide. Much like a physical first aid course, MHFA courses teach you how to provide initial support to others when they may need it most.
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The comprehensive courses equip you with information on mental health, break down the stigma surrounding it, and teach vital skills to help people around you that may be developing or experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
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MHFA has been proven to promote help seeking and lessen the impact of mental health problems on productivity within the workplace, with many organisations using MHFA as a key component of their organisational mental health strategy.
With nearly one in every two Australians (45%) experiencing mental health problems in their lifetime, it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to understand mental illness and learn how to support those around them. In workplaces, organisations need to upskill their staff and create environments that promote support for mental health in the workplace.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
MHFA training gives your employees the skills and confidence to have supportive conversations with their
co-workers and help guide them to professional help if needed
This means recognising the signs of mental illness and providing helpful support to a friend, family member or
co-worker when they need it most.
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The importance of physical first aid is widely accepted and promoted within our community, with organisations legally required to have employees qualified in first aid. However, mental health problems may still be a taboo subject, and MHFA not widely recognised.
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The recent release of the Commonwealth Government’s
National Blueprint for Healthy Workplaces, outlines the need to undertake relevant training to upskill staff in recognising mental illness in the workplace. Given that most Australians spend close to one third of their lives at work, it is an ideal place for early intervention for mental health problems.
WHAT WILL WE LEARN?
All courses use evidence based action plans and equip participants with:
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Confidence to help
Learn the skills to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. Individuals will be provided with the most up-to-date advice and evidence-informed research on how to support someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis in the current climate.
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Action plans
Learn the widely recognised action plan for mental health first aid (ALGEE) and be equipped with the skills to help an individual appropriately.
Accreditation
Participants can complete a standardised assessment and be recognised as an Accredited MHFAider for three years.
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Topics covered include:
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Common mental health problems including depression, anxiety, substance use and psychosis
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Panic attacks and traumatic events
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Severe psychotic states and suicidal thoughts and behaviours and/or self-harm
WHO ARE THESE COURSES FOR?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses are tailored specifically for individuals in the community and/or in the workplace.
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The courses are based on guidelines developed through Mental Health First Aid Australia. As an accredited MHFA Principal Master Instructor with over 17 individual qualifications , you can have peace of mind knowing you're in the right hands.
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Speak to me about a tailored course for your workplace or team.
AVAILABLE COURSES
All courses listed below are developed through MHFA Australia and run at different times, with upcoming courses listed on my courses page.
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However, if you'd like to book one of these courses for your workplace directly, please contact me and we can arrange a suitable course date & time.
SIGNS OF DECLINING MENTAL HEALTH
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COMMUNITY COURSE
This course gives you the support and confidence to help an adult who is experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received. This course focuses more on individual scenarios, rather than broader workplace processes and procedures, but it can also be used within the workplace for staff that have daily interaction with customers and clients.
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This 12-hour Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course can be delivered in 1 of 2 ways and is run at different times of the year:
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12 hour Face-to-Face
Usually delivered over 2 x 6hr consecutive days, but it can also be spread out over a week. ​
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Blended Online Community Course
Self-paced eLearning component (typically 5-7 hours) + 2 x 2.5 hour instructor led video conferencing sessions - usually held one week apart.
Please click the below link for upcoming courses or contact me directly to enquire.
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID FOR THE WORKPLACE
The aim of this course is to learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults in the workplace. Course content includes how to reach out and provide initial help, where and how to get professional help and how to provide mental health first aid in a crisis-situation.
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The content of this course is tailored for the workplace – with specific scenarios and exercises used that will equip participants to help colleagues, clients and other workplace contacts.
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This 12-hour Mental Health First Aid training course can be delivered in 1 of 2 ways and is run at different times of the year:
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Blended Online + Face-to-Face
Self-paced eLearning component (typically 5-7 hours) + 4 hour face-to-face session.
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Blended Online Workplace Course
Self-paced eLearning component (typically 5-7 hours) + 2 x 2.5 hour instructor led video conferencing sessions.
​Everyone has a role to play – in looking after their own mental health and in shaping their organisational response towards mentally healthy workplaces.
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Please click the below link for details on upcoming courses or contact me directly to enquire about running a course specifically for your workplace.
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID: ENGAGING LEADERS
A quick 90 minute session that will assist decision makers, influencers and leaders understand the benefits of creating mentally healthy workplaces through mental health first aid.
The session contains information specific to leaders and how they can support employees who may be dealing with a mental health problem.
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This session can be undertaken both online or in person.
You can read about the session in more detail on the course flyer.
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If you’d like to find out more details on when I’m running the next session or you'd like to enrol staff within your organisation, just click the button below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
STANDARD MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID REFRESHER
This is for adults who have already completed the Standard Mental Health First Aid course and are looking to refresh their knowledge. By undertaking this course you extend your accreditation for another three years.
It’s a 4-hour workshop that gives you the latest research in mental health and works through the core mental health first aid principles.
You can read about the course in more detail on the course flyer.
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If you’d like to find out more details, or when I’m running the next workshop, just click the button below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID FOR THE SUICIDAL PERSON
This is a half-day course for adults who are helping a friend or loved one who is experiencing suicidal thoughts.
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Note: This course is not for people who are recently bereaved by someone who has taken their life or for people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The course teaches you how to:
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Identify the warning signs for suicide
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Have a conversation with someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours
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Confidently support a person in crisis
You can read about the course in more detail on the course flyer.
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If you’d like to find out more details, or when I’m running the next workshop, just click the button below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID FOR THE NON-SUICIDAL PERSON AND SELF-INJURY (SELF-HARM)
This 4-hour course will help you learn the best way to talk to someone who’s engaging in self-harm. The course is based on guidelines developed by people who have experience of mental health problems, and experts in mental health.
The course talks about:
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Why people engage in self-injury
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How to talk to someone about their self-injury
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How to help the person stay safe
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How to connect someone to appropriate professional help
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How to assess for suicidal thoughts and behaviours
You can read about the course in more detail on the course flyer.
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If you’d like to find out more details, or when I’m running the next workshop, just click the button below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID FOR GAMBLING PROBLEMS
This is a 4-hour course for any adult interested learning about how to identify, approach and support someone who is experiencing gambling harm.
I use a practical, evidence-based action plan and guidelines that have been developed with the expert consensus of people who have experienced mental health problems.
You’ll learn:
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How to approach someone about their gambling problems
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The risk factors, signs and symptoms and motivations that can underpin a gambling problem
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How to manage your own self-care when helping someone with gambling problems
Note: The course is designed to help you support others, not as a therapy or support group for anyone struggling with gambling problems.
You can read about the course in more detail on the course flyer.
If you’d like to find out more details, or when I’m running the next course, just click the button below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
If you’d like to find out more about any of these courses including how and when you can participate - please contact me directly.
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You can also visit the Courses page to view Mental Health First Aid courses that are currently open for bookings.
If you’re having suicidal thoughts, here are some people you can talk to immediately:
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Latrobe Health has used Linda to facilitate our Mental Health First Aid training for the past few years. During the pandemic when it was even more critical for our leaders and employees to be able to pick up the signs and have the conversations with our people, Linda was able to deliver a blended online course for our workplace. Her knowledge, skills and experience provides our leaders with up-to-date, relevant and practical tools to feel confident to have open conversations to support the mental health and wellbeing of our people.
- Kathleen, Latrobe Health Services
