12 HOUR - STANDARD MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE

The 12-Hour Standard MHFA Course empowers you to respond with confidence and care.

Step Up for Mental Health in Your Workplace or Community

Why take the 12-Hour Standard Mental Health First Aid Course?
Because mental health challenges affect 1 in 5 Australian adults every year—and many people don’t know how to respond when someone is struggling.

The Standard MHFA course teaches adults how to provide initial support to other adults who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Grounded in research and developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia, this training is evidence-based, practical, and nationally recognised

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For Workplaces: Meet Your Mental Health Obligations

Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, employers are required to protect both the physical and mental wellbeing of their staff. The Standard MHFA course helps workplaces to:

• Create a mentally healthy culture

• Reduce stigma and encourage early intervention

• Align with WHS requirements and psychological safety standards

• Strengthen wellbeing and employee support programs

Training employees in MHFA empowers your team to respond effectively to mental health issues among colleagues and clients, contributing to a safer, more supportive workplace.

For Communities: Make a Difference in Everyday Life

Mental health challenges are common—but so is the opportunity to help. The MHFA course gives people the tools to safely and confidently support someone they care about, whether it’s:

• A friend or family member

• A neighbour or fellow community member

• Someone they serve through volunteering or support roles

This training is ideal for:

• Community leaders and volunteers

• Carers and support workers

• Coaches, mentors, and faith-based group leaders

• Anyone who wants to be more prepared to help

By learning Mental Health First Aid, you become a point of early support in your community—someone who can make a real difference at a critical time.

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What You’ll Learn

Across the 12-hour course (delivered in person or in a blended format), participants will gain:

• Skills to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults

• Confidence to approach and assist someone in distress

• An understanding of how to provide support until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves

• Knowledge of evidence-based mental health treatments and supports

Topics include:

• Depression

• Anxiety problems

• Psychosis

• Substance use problems

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours

• Non-suicidal self-injury

• Aggressive behaviours and crisis situations

Flexible Delivery Options

We offer onsite, online, or blended delivery, making it easy to integrate MHFA into your workplace or community setting. Options for group bookings, PD days, and tailored delivery are available.

About Your Instructor

Mark Smith is a highly experienced Standard MHFA Instructor with over 35 years in the education, health, disability, and community sectors. As a Consultant Trainer with MHFA Australia, Mark not only delivers courses nationwide but also trains and assesses new instructors, maintaining the high standards of the MHFA program.