Mental Health First Aid course

Mental health first aid is the initial help given to a person with a mental health problem or crisis before medical treatment can be obtained. First aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

In order to help people provide initial support for someone with a mental health problem, WorkCoverSA is holding a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course. Participants receive a course manual and also a certificate at the completion of the course.

There are many workplace benefits to be gained from effective mental health awareness, including managing risk factors by raising awareness, providing early intervention strategies, access to appropriate services and promoting effective rehabilitation and return to work.

The course is useful for people employed in areas that involve high contact with employees who may have mental health issues. The MHFA course is a 12-hour course that is delivered over two days in four modules.

Course content

The course aims to educate participants about symptoms, causes and evidence-based treatments for depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis and substance use disorder, and addresses the possible crisis situations arising from these mental health problems and steps to help. Crisis situations covered are suicidal behaviours, acute stress reaction, panic attacks and acute psychotic behaviour. The mental health problems covered are depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar and substance misuse.

The course does not teach people to diagnose, to be counsellors or to provide therapy. It is an effective risk management strategy to provide participants with the skills to recognise a mental health problem, to respond appropriately, to promote healthy relationships and positive health outcomes.

Important note

This course is for workplace rehabilitation providers, rehabilitation and return to work coordinators and case managers. It is not recommended for people seeking treatment or recovering from a mental health problem. Course content can affect some people who have or are experiencing a mental health problem.

Workshop schedule

17-18 May 2012
9.00am-4.30pm (both days)
WorkCoverSA
100 Waymouth Street, Adelaide 

Register now

For more information on the MHFA program, please contact Doula Theodosi on 8233 2204 or email dtheodosi@workcover.com.

Further details about mental health first aid are available at www.mhfa.com.au.