What is Mental Health First Aid (Mental Health 1st aid / MHFA)?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an educational course that teaches people how to recognise signs of common mental health problems and how to provide initial help. It is not therapy. Instead, it shows simple, practical steps to support someone until professional help is available.
You will learn about depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance misuse. The course also covers crises like suicidal behaviour, panic attacks, and severe drug effects.
Who should do this course?
This course suits anyone over 18 who wants to help others safely: teachers, childcare staff, managers, first responders, community workers, parents, and friends. It’s especially useful if you want a recognised mental health first aid qualification or to be one of the mental health first aiders at work.
If you already hold a basic first aid ticket, consider strengthening your medical response with a related step like [CPR] for life support skills.
Course Overview — What FACT Offers
| Detail |
Information |
| Name |
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) workshop |
| Location |
34 South Tce, Adelaide SA 5000 |
| Duration |
2 full days (check-in from 08:00, starts 08:30 each day) |
| Cost |
$199 per person (NO CITB funding available) |
| Trainers |
Registered with Mental Health First Aid Australia; training delivered by Wellness & Healing Psychology and Counselling Centre, led by Dr Keyvan Abak |
| Certificate |
PDF certificate emailed upon successful completion. Conditions apply. |
| Age |
Participants must be 18+. |
| Photo ID |
Passport or Australian driver’s licence/proof of age required. Medicare card also needed if using a driver’s licence. |
Workshop Aims & Outcomes
The course aims to teach how to offer initial support to adults developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. After the workshop, you will be able to:
- Recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems.
- Offer initial help calmly and safely.
- Know where and how to get professional help.
- Understand which supports are shown by research to help.
- Provide mental health first aid during a crisis until professionals take over.
If your role involves children, you should also take First Aid Child Care to cover age-specific care and first aid techniques.