Mental Health First Aid
Overview
The Mental Health First Aid Program was developed in 2001 at the centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University. The program has been well evaluated and found to be effective in improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and increasing helping behaviours. First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. Mental Health First Aid is the initial help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is sought.
Intended Outcomes
There are many reasons why people benefit from Mental Health First Aid Training:
- Mental health problems are common
- There is a stigma associated with mental health problems
- Many people do not recognize mental health problems
- Professional help is not always available
- Many people do not know how to help
Course Content
The course covers helping people in mental health crisis situations and/or in the early stages of mental health problems. Crisis situations covered are:
- Suicidal behaviours
- Acute stress reaction
- Panic attacks
- Acute psychotic behaviour
Other mental health problems covered are:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.
Dates and Registration
Registration and course administration is managed by Occupational Health, Safety and Environment.
For course dates and registration please go to
OHS&E Course Registration
See Also
Mental Health First Aid
Information sheet Mental Health First Aid (doc, 27kb)
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