Mental Health First Aid Training: What to Expect

Mental Health First Aid training provides practical skills and knowledge to help people recognise when someone may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, provide appropriate initial support and encourage professional and other appropriate help.

Unlike clinical mental health training, Mental Health First Aid is designed for everyday people — including employees, managers, teachers, parents, carers, community workers and other people who may be in a position to support someone experiencing a mental health problem.

At MHFAT, we provide Mental Health First Aid training for individuals, workplaces and organisations across Sydney, NSW and Australia, with flexible options including face-to-face and blended online training. MHFAT

If you're considering completing an MHFA course, here's what you can expect.

What is Mental Health First Aid training?

Mental Health First Aid training teaches participants how to recognise signs that someone may be developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

The training focuses on practical first-response skills, rather than diagnosing or treating mental illness.

Participants learn how to approach someone appropriately, listen without judgement, provide initial support and encourage the person to access professional or other appropriate support.

Mental Health First Aid courses are based on evidence-informed guidelines developed through expert consensus involving people with lived experience of mental health problems, carers and mental health professionals. MHFAT

Mental Health First Aid is not a replacement for professional mental health care. A Mental Health First Aider provides initial support within the limits of their training and helps connect a person with appropriate support.

What does Mental Health First Aid training teach you?

Depending on the course you choose, MHFA training covers mental health problems, mental health crises and practical approaches for providing initial assistance.

Participants can develop skills to:

• Recognise possible signs of mental health problems

• Approach someone who may be struggling

• Listen and communicate respectfully

• Provide initial support

• Encourage appropriate professional help

• Identify situations requiring urgent assistance

• Understand the limits of the Mental Health First Aider role

• Encourage other appropriate support networks

The training is designed to build knowledge, confidence and practical communication skills that participants can use in workplaces, schools, families and community settings.

What is the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan?

A key component of Mental Health First Aid training is learning a structured approach for providing initial support.

The MHFA courses use the ALGEE Action Plan, which provides a framework for responding to someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. MHFAT

The approach involves:

A — Approach, assess and assist with any crisis

L — Listen and communicate non-judgementally

G — Give support and information

E — Encourage appropriate professional help

E — Encourage other supports

The Action Plan gives participants a practical framework they can use when they are unsure what to say or do.

Who should complete Mental Health First Aid training?

Mental Health First Aid training can be valuable for a wide range of people.

You don't need to be a mental health professional to complete MHFA training.

Courses can be suitable for:

• Employees

• Managers and team leaders

• HR and People & Culture teams

• Teachers and school staff

• Parents and carers

• Youth workers

• Community workers

• Sports coaches

• Emergency and frontline services

• Workplace health and safety personnel

• Community organisations

• Individuals wanting to develop their mental health support skills

For workplaces, Mental Health First Aid training can help develop a group of people who are more confident recognising concerns, starting supportive conversations and encouraging appropriate assistance. MHFAT's workplace program is designed for organisations across Sydney, NSW and Australia. MHFAT

What happens during a Mental Health First Aid course?

The exact format depends on the MHFA course you choose.

MHFAT offers different training options, including Standard MHFA, Youth MHFA, Workplace MHFA, refresher courses and blended online options. MHFAT

For blended courses, participants complete an online learning component followed by instructor-led training. The instructor-led component provides an opportunity to consolidate knowledge, discuss scenarios and practise applying the skills learned during the course. MHFAT

The focus is on practical application rather than simply reading information.

You will have opportunities to consider realistic situations and develop confidence in responding appropriately.

Is Mental Health First Aid training suitable for workplaces?

Yes.

Workplace Mental Health First Aid training can help employees, managers and team leaders develop the confidence to recognise when a colleague may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

A workplace Mental Health First Aider is not a counsellor, psychologist or mental health professional.

Their role is to provide appropriate initial support, within the limits of their training, and encourage the person to access professional, workplace or community support where appropriate.

Workplace MHFA can complement existing workplace wellbeing initiatives, Employee Assistance Programs, HR processes and WHS systems. MHFAT

Looking for workplace training?

Explore our Workplace Mental Health First Aid Training for organisations across Sydney, NSW and Australia.

What is the difference between Standard and Youth Mental Health First Aid?

The appropriate course depends on who you want to support.

Standard Mental Health First Aid is designed around supporting adults experiencing mental health problems or mental health crises.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed for adults who live with, work with or care for adolescents aged 12–18.

Youth MHFA can be particularly relevant to teachers, school staff, parents, carers, youth workers, coaches and community workers. MHFAT

MHFAT offers both Standard and Youth Mental Health First Aid options, including blended online courses. MHFAT

How long does Mental Health First Aid training take?

Course duration depends on the specific MHFA course and delivery format.

For example, MHFAT's Standard MHFA course is currently delivered as a 12-hour course over two days, while blended courses combine self-paced online learning with instructor-led sessions. MHFAT

When choosing a course, check the specific course information for the current duration, delivery method and requirements.

Is Mental Health First Aid training available online?

Yes.

MHFAT provides blended online Mental Health First Aid options, including Workplace and Youth MHFA courses.

Blended learning combines online learning with instructor-led training, allowing participants to complete the learning component flexibly while still receiving guided instruction and opportunities to apply their skills. MHFAT

Some MHFAT online courses are available Australia-wide. MHFAT

Is Mental Health First Aid training accredited?

Accreditation depends on completing the requirements of the particular MHFA course.

For blended MHFA courses, participants complete the required learning components and an online assessment. Successful participants can receive a Certificate of Accreditation, with accreditation currently valid for three years. MHFAT

Always check the individual course information for the current accreditation and refresher requirements.

Where can I complete Mental Health First Aid training in Sydney?

MHFAT provides Mental Health First Aid training for individuals and organisations across Sydney and NSW.

Courses include Standard MHFA, Youth MHFA, Workplace MHFA and refresher options, with face-to-face and blended delivery available depending on the course. MHFAT

Looking for a Mental Health First Aid course in Sydney?

Explore our Mental Health First Aid Training in Sydney page to see current course options and booking information.

How do I choose the right Mental Health First Aid course?

Consider who you want to support, why you're completing the training and how you prefer to learn.

For example:

Supporting adults: Consider Standard Mental Health First Aid.

Supporting young people aged 12–18:Consider Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Training employees or developing workplace capability: Consider Workplace Mental Health First Aid.

Refreshing previous MHFA knowledge: Consider an appropriate MHFA refresher course.

MHFAT's current course calendar provides the available course options and booking information. MHFAT

Explore our courses

See our current Mental Health First Aid Courses and choose the option that best suits your needs.

Why complete Mental Health First Aid training?

Mental health concerns can affect people in every workplace, family and community.

Having the confidence to recognise that someone may not be okay and knowing how to start a supportive conversation can make a meaningful difference.

Mental Health First Aid training can help participants develop:

• Greater confidence when discussing mental health

• Practical communication skills

• A better understanding of mental health problems and crises

• Confidence to provide appropriate initial support

• Greater awareness of professional and community support options

• A clearer understanding of the Mental Health First Aider role

The goal isn't to turn participants into mental health professionals.

It's to give ordinary people practical skills to know what to do when someone may need help.

Ready to complete Mental Health First Aid training?

Whether you're looking to develop your own skills, train a workplace team or support young people, MHFAT offers Mental Health First Aid training options for individuals and organisations.

Explore our Mental Health First Aid Training in Sydney or view our current MHFA courses.

For workplace groups and customised training, contact MHFAT to discuss your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mental Health First Aid training?

Mental Health First Aid training teaches participants how to recognise signs of mental health problems and crises, provide appropriate initial support and encourage professional and other appropriate help.

Do I need to be a mental health professional to complete MHFA training?

No. Mental Health First Aid courses are designed for members of the community and do not require participants to be mental health professionals.

How long does Mental Health First Aid training take?

The duration depends on the course and delivery format. MHFAT offers different course formats, including two-day Standard and Youth courses and blended online options. MHFAT

Is Mental Health First Aid training suitable for workplaces?

Yes. Workplace Mental Health First Aid training can help employees, managers and team leaders develop practical skills for recognising concerns, starting supportive conversations and encouraging appropriate assistance. MHFAT

Is Mental Health First Aid training available online?

Yes. MHFAT offers blended online MHFA options, including Workplace and Youth courses. MHFAT

How long does MHFA accreditation last?

For the blended MHFA course information currently published by MHFAT, successful participants receive a Certificate of Accreditation valid for three years.