Your mental wellness partner in

South West Victoria - and beyond

Training | Supports | Resources

Standard Mental Health First Aid Course

Equips adults with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to a friend, family member, co-worker, or another adult, experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.

  • 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.

    Standard Mental Health First Aid courses delivered in blended formats include some eLearning materials tailored to either workplaces or community settings. Participants can select their preferred setting when organising Blended Online or Blended Face-to-Face delivery of this course. 

    This course is recognised by Suicide Prevention Australia as a safe, high-quality, and effective suicide prevention program.

  • Evidence-based: All Mental Health First Aid courses are based on guidelines that are informed by people with lived experience, their caregivers, and mental health professionals.

    Rigorously evaluated: Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and confidence in providing mental health first aid to individuals.

    Skills-based: Teaches the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a difference.

    Internationally recognised: Over 6 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across 25 countries.

  • 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

  • Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: 

    • 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 

  • Suitable for individuals, workplaces of all sizes and volunteer and community-based groups.

    Any adult (aged 18+) can attend.

  • You can complete the short assessment at the end of a course to become a Nationally Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider) with Mental Health First Aid Australia.

    Accreditations are valid for 3 years.

  • This is a 12 hour course, best delivered face-to-face. Please ask us about other format options if face-to-face it not possible.

Conversations about Suicide Course

Equips adults with the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to a friend, family member, co-worker or other person, experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

  • The Conversations about Suicide course teaches participants how to provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. 

    Course participants learn how to recognise and respond to suicidal thoughts and behaviours, provide support and encourage pathways to professional help. 

    Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, 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. 

    This course is recognised by Suicide Prevention Australia as a safe, high-quality, and effective suicide prevention program. Learn more.

  • Evidence-based: All Mental Health First Aid courses are based on guidelines that are informed by people with lived experience, their caregivers, and mental health professionals.

    Rigorously evaluated: Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and confidence in providing mental health first aid to individuals.

    Skills-based: Teaches the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a difference.

    Internationally recognised: Over 6 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across 25 countries.

  • Participants in this course will learn how to apply mental health first aid to a person experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

  • Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: 

    • Recognise the signs that indicate someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts 

    • Understand the warning signs and risk factors of suicide 

    • Know how to support someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours 

    • Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation  

    • Understand the professional resources and supports available for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours 

    • Know the barriers to help seeking and how to overcome these 

    • Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider.

  • Suitable for individuals, workplaces of all sizes and volunteer and community-based groups.

    Any adult (aged 18+) can attend.

  • There is no accreditation for this course. See the Standard Mental Health First Aid Course for Accreditation options.

  • This is a 4 hour course, best delivered face-to-face.

Refresher Course: Standard Mental Health First Aid

Training for current and Accredited MHFAiders to stay up to date with mental health first aid knowledge, skills and information.

  • Course participants learn about the latest research in the mental health field, work through complex mental health first aid interactions, and practice their mental health first aid skills across a range of mental health problems and mental health crisis situations.

    Participants can complete a short assessment at the end of a course to extend your Mental Health First Aid Accreditation for a further 3 years.

  • Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: 

    • Recognise the signs that indicate someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts 

    • Understand the warning signs and risk factors of suicide 

    • Know how to support someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours 

    • Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation  

    • Understand the professional resources and supports available for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours 

    • Know the barriers to help seeking and how to overcome these 

    • Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider.

  • Current and Accredited Standard, MHFAiders are eligible to attend.

    You are eligible for a Refresher course if you have completed a full MHFA course and accreditation assessment, within the last 3 years.

    You will need to provide a copy of your Certificate of Accreditation to us prior to the training. You can access a copy via your Mental Health First Aid Account.

    Participants who have last attended a Refresher Course will need to attend a full course as per our accreditation pathway.

  • Successful completion of the Refresher Course will extend your accreditation for a further 3 years.

  • 3 years after completing a Refresher Course, MHFAiders will need to attend a full 12 or 14-hour MHFA course in order to maintain their accreditation.

  • This is a 4 hour course, best delivered face-to-face.

    Alternatively 5 hours, online.

Mental Health First Aid: Engaging Leaders

Helps leaders, decision makers and influencers within organisations understand how MHFA training helps create mentally healthy workplaces.

  • Mental Health First Aid: Engaging Leaders has been developed for employers and managers.  It provides leaders within organisations with information about the behavioural and physical signs that often indicate when an employee is experiencing a mental health problem and approaches for supporting an employee with mental illness.  

    The 90-minute session provides participants with a comprehensive overview of what staff and employees learn in a full 12-hour Mental Health First Aid training course.

    Engaging Leaders participants also learn about how the workplace can contribute to mental health problems, the framework for creating mentally healthy workplaces and how Mental Health First Aid training in the workplace can help.

    It talks to the role of MHFAiders and MHFA Officers in a workplace and how Mental Health First Aid training can contribute to a culture of care where staff feel supported and encouraged to talk openly about mental health.

  • Evidence-based: All Mental Health First Aid courses are based on guidelines that are informed by people with lived experience, their caregivers, and mental health professionals.

    Rigorously evaluated: Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and confidence in providing mental health first aid to individuals.

    Skills-based: Teaches the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a difference.

    Internationally recognised: Over 6 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across 25 countries.

  • Suitable for leaders, decision makers and influencers within organisations.

    Any adult (aged 18+) can attend.

  • There is no accreditation for this information session.

  • The 90-minute session can be delivered face-to-face or online

We’re licensed as Mental Health First Aid Instructors with Mental Health First Aid Australia, authors of the training courses we provide.

  • "Loved it! So many skills to use in everyday life."

  • "A very rewarding course professionally and personally."

  • "It's given me the confidence to use these tools in everyday situations"

Mental Wellness Resource Mapping

Mapping community resources that support well-being is a valuable tool for promoting individual health, community vitality, and social equity. By increasing accessibility, improving health outcomes, fostering collaboration, informing decision-making, and empowering communities, mapping can contribute to a more vibrant and resilient society.

Looking for mental health resources in Colac? Check out the community-created map! Ask us about a resource map for your community or business.

Workshops and programs

Our tailored workshops and programs can empower communities to function effectively. As trained facilitators and coaches with deep experience in community development, business, and leadership, we tailor our offerings to meet the unique needs of your community. Our goal is to equip individuals and groups with the tools and knowledge they need to function well.

Retreats

Retreats offer a valuable opportunity for individuals and communities to step away from the daily grind to rest, connect, and create. By providing a space to relax, build relationships, and engage in creative activities, retreats can contribute to improved mental and physical health, personal growth, and a stronger sense of community. Join one of our annual retreats or ask about a private retreat for your group.

Support for employers

“…employers that invest in eliminating psychosocial risks, and supporting the mental health of their employees, receive a healthy return on those investments through multiple channels: including better retention, reduced turnover and training costs, reduced sick leave, higher productivity, and lower workers’ compensation claims.”

“Only 56% of workers believe their most senior leader values mental health”.

The Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work

We help you put the

commitment of

mental wellness

into everyday practice