Working towards a community where Griffith students and staff have the first aid skills to support people with mental health problems
Each year one in five Australians will experience a mental illness. Many people are not knowledgeable or confident to offer assistance. Physical first aid is accepted and widespread in our community, however most does not cover mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches people the skills to help someone who they're concerned about.
Once you complete a MHFA course you are eligible to sit a short assessment to become an Accredited MHFAider. Please note: The Griffith "MHFA Accredited" Digital Badge is only allocated to those participants who are fully accredited through completing the training with Student Health Counselling and Wellbeing. The Griffith "MHFA Trained" Digital Badge is no longer available.
MHFA training benefits
Evaluations have shown MHFA training is associated with:
- improved knowledge of mental illnesses
- knowledge of appropriate first aid strategies
- confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness
- decreased stigmatising attitudes
- increased help available within the community.
Testimonials
Comments from previous participants include:
- "Was very interesting and provided real-world experience."
- "Increased confidence in student support.“
- "Excellent strategies to assist in having safe, competent, confident interactions."
- "The ALGEE process is transferrable to a range of situations. It was useful and interesting to learn more about a wide range of mental health issues and diagnoses."
- "Suicide is not a scary word. Address issues as soon as possible."
- "Language is important."
Blended For Tertiary Students
The two-day Standard MHFA course can be delivered flexibly. Offered as a combination of an e-Learning component (expected completion 6-8 hours) followed by a 4-hour face-face workshop.
Blended For The Workplace
Staff only. The two-day Standard MHFA course can be delivered flexibly. Offered as a combination of an e-Learning component (expected completion 6-8 hours) followed by a 4-hour face-face workshop.
Standard Refresher Mental Health First Aid
4 hour face-face courses provided to participants whom are wanting to refresh knowledge and skills learnt during the 12-hour Standard Mental Health First Aid Course.
STANDARD MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID REFRESHER COURSE
The Refresher Course allows participants to refresh the knowledge and skills learnt during the two-day 12-hour Standard Mental Health First Aid Course.
MHFAiders will have the opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further 3 years. Participants have up to 3 months after their accreditation expires to complete a Refresher Course and the online assessment. The content of each refresher course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals
What the course covers:
- Gain an understanding of the latest research in the mental health field.
- Learn key actions for helping someone experiencing a mental health problem.
- Work through complex mental health first aid scenarios.
- Practice mental health first aid skills.
Please note:
This is an education course, to learn how to give first aid to others, and is not a therapy or support group.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID—BLENDED FOR TERTIARY STUDENTS
Learn how to assist a fellow student developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The two-day 12 hour Standard Course is designed to offer increased flexibility, delivered in blended mode. Consisting of a combination of e-Learning followed by a half-day 4-hour face-to-face workshop.
Participants must first complete the e-Learning component which usually takes about 6-8 hours and can be completed at your own pace. The e-Learning component covers information about mental health problems, mental health crises, and skills to offer initial help to an adult developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
Griffith offer limited face-face sessions that allow participants the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills in a group workshop, and apply skills to specific scenarios. The face-face component must be completed within 3 months of the compulsory e-Learning component.
What the face-to-face component offers:
- Examine issues pertinent to mental health problems in the student population.
- Clarify information covered within the e-Learning modules.
- Apply the MHFA Action Plan to relevant scenarios.
Please visit MHFA Australia to find out how you can enrol and complete the e-Learning modules. It is recommended to register for a face-face workshop before commencing the e-Learning.
After completing both parts of the course, participants can complete an online Accreditation Assessment to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider.
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Workshops
To be added to our waitlist for upcoming workshops please complete this form.