mental health first aid training

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

12-hour program

A mental health first aider provides initial assistance to an individual with a mental health problem (or crisis). This training supports people to spot the signs, have the confidence to provide initial help and guide a person towards support. It is about learning to listen, reassure and respond to the warning signs of depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use, potentially preventing a crisis.

An nb&a group accredited instructor delivers this face-to-face training across two or more sessions to build confidence through a mix of case studies, group activities, presentations and discussions.

Note: Course content can be sensitive. It’s not recommended for people being treated or recovering from a mental health problem.

Mental Health First Aid Refresher

4-hour program

Eligible accredited mental health first aiders are able to extend their accreditation by completing a refresher course to update and build on skills learned in the initial 12-hour mental health first aid course. This course contains new material and a take-home manual.

Blended MHFA

eLearning + 4-hour face-to-face training

Designed for workplaces that require increased flexibility in the delivery of training for their staff members, the Blended Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace course is a combination of online (eLearning) followed by and a half day face-to-face training.  Course participants first complete the interactive self-paced eLearning component that presents an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises. The follow-on face-to-face training allows participants the opportunity to revise and consolidate skills in a group environment and to address mental health problems in the workplace in more depth.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

14-hour program

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course will teach you how to assist adolescents 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.

Teen Mental Health First Aid

3.5 hour program

With a focus on improved mental health literacy and early intervention, the peer-to-peer Teen MHFA course is for high school students in Years 7–9 and Years 10–12. It teaches participants how to recognise changes in a friend's thinking, feelings or behaviour that may indicate the presence of a mental health problem, how to offer initial mental health first aid support and how to connect them with a trusted adult.

Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person

4-hour program

This face-to-face course teaches participants how to give first aid to someone who is feeling suicidal. The course shares international best-practice guidelines on how to intervene when a person experiences suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

Note: Course not recommended for people bereaved by suicide. Please access specific services at beyondblue.

Mental Health First Aid for Non-suicidal Self-injury

4-hour program

Based on guidelines developed through expert consensus of professionals and people with lived experience of mental health problems, learn how to assist a person who is engaging in self-injury.

Mental Health First Aid Skilled Workplace

nb&a group partners with organisations to teach managers, supervisors and other employees how to provide early assistance to a co-worker with signs of a mental health problem (or crisis). Talk to us about training your staff and being recognised as an MHFA Skilled Workplace.