Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based program designed to create a workplace where employees feel safe and supported. It works by reducing stigma, promoting open discussions, and providing coworkers and leaders with skills to help those facing mental health issues or crises.

The MHFA courses teach participants how to:

  • Understand the prevalence, impact, risk factors, and available treatments for mental illnesses

  • Identify signs and symptoms of mental health problems in adults

  • Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate supportive conversations

  • Recognise barriers to seeking help and strategies to overcome them

  • Assess and respond to mental health crises

  • Practice self-care as a Mental Health First Aider

Following completion of the MHFA course, participants are accredited as a MHFAider for three years. A refresher course is available to extend this accreditation for a further three years. MHFA Australia has a Workplace Recognition Program that celebrates organisations for their commitment to embedding Mental Health First Aid in their organisational culture.

At Butterfly Effect Psychology we’ve seen first hand the impact of equipping people with these essential skills that can enable the person experiencing mental health problems to access timely support and feel empowered to return to work.

Our MHFA Courses

  • Standard MHFA Course

    The Standard MHFA course is 12 hours of face to face training, designed for any Australian adult aged 18 and over. This training may be delivered over two 6-hour days.

    This course can also completed in a blended format where participants complete elearning modules (5-7 hours), followed by attending a half-day (4 hours) in person or 2 x 2.5 hour online Instructor-led workshops. We are able to adapt the training to your workplace context.

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  • Youth MHFA Course

    The Youth MHFA course is 14 hours of face to face training, designed for adults who teach, care for, or support young people aged 12-18 years. This training may be delivered over two sessions of 7-hours each.

    This course may be completed in a blended format where participants complete e-learning modules of 5-7 hour duration, followed by either a one day (7 hour) or 2 x half day (3.5 hour) in person workshops, or 3 x 2.5 hour online workshops.

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  • MHFA Refresher Course

    Participants who have previously completed an accredited Standard, Youth, or specialised MHFA course are encouraged to renew their accreditation as a MHFAider for a further three years by completing a Refresher course.

    This course can be completed in an in person workshop (4 hours) or online (5 hours).

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  • Specialised MHFA Courses

    We are accredited to deliver the following specialised MHFA Courses that have been adapted for different settings. These programs are available in a blended format (e-learning modules followed by in person or online Instructor led sessions).

    MHFA for the Workplace; MHFA for Financial Professionals; MHFA for Legal Professionals; Conversations about non-suicidal self-injury

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Supporting your MHFA Workplace Officers

We offer follow-up group consultation to support your team members who are MHFAiders. These sessions include consultation on the application of MHFA in your workplace.

Common themes include visibility and utilisation of MHFA trained staff, role clarification, confidentiality, ongoing skill development, managing dual roles, understanding duty of care in practice.