Understanding how to talk about Mental Health and how to provide support to someone experiencing mental health issues is becoming increasingly important and valuable. Many people feel unprepared or uncomfortable when considering how to approach someone they are concerned about.
The 12-hour Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course teaches participants how to provide initial support to people who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.
At a MHFA course, you will learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems or a crisis. You will gain the confidence to give effective support to and you will learn how to assist an adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence-based action plan.
This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals. Evaluations consistently show that MHFA training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments and appropriate first aid strategies, and confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness. It is also associated with decreased stigma and an increase in help provided.
The course will be delivered by Darren Peterson, a qualified Mental Health First Aid Trainer and developer of the Take Charge Wellbeing program. Darren has lived experience dealing with mental health problems and is passionate about providing support and strategies to others dealing with their own mental health challenges.
