Mental Health First Aid Training

This course teaches people (18 years and over) how to offer initial support to adults who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolved.

The course curriculum is evidence-based, as informed by the MHFA guidelines.

  • What is the standard mental health first aid course?

    Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what sort of help has been shown by research to be helpful.

  • Topics covered
    • Depression
    • Anxiety problems
    • Psychosis
    • Substance use problems
    • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
    • Non-suicidal self-injury
    • Panic attacks
    • Traumatic events
    • Severe psychotic states
    • Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
    • Aggressive behaviours

    Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

  • Course format and registration

    The course runs over 2 consecutive days as face to face training (generally from 10am to 4:30pm)

    Training is free for students and staff.

  • Refresher course

    Refresher courses are now being offered to those who have completed there MHFA certificate within the last three years. If you completed your certificate more than three years ago, you will need to contact Mental Health First Aid Australia to confirm your eligibility.

    There may be some leeway of a few months over the three year period but this is up to MHFA Australia to determine. This course is also free for both staff and students and runs for approximately 4.5 hours. 

  • Eligibility

    Staff and Students of the University of Adelaide (18 years or over) - there are no prerequisites for this course.

  • Contact information and registration

    Email Jill Allen at mhfa@adelaide.edu.au to register for one of the course dates below or for further information.

Course dates 2024

  • Staff dates

    Sold out dates will be marked with an *. Please enquire about our waitlist if you are interested.  

    February Thursday 8 and Friday 9 February *
    March
    • Thursday 7 and Friday 8 March
    • Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 March
    May Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 May *
    July Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 July *
    August
    • Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 August *
    • Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 August*
    October Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October
    November Thursday 21 and Friday 22 November
    December Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December

  • Student dates

    Sold out dates will be marked with an *. Please enquire about our waitlist if you are interested.  

    February Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February
    April
    • Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 April *
    • Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 April *
    June Thursday 6 and Friday 7 *
    July
    • Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 July 
    • Thursday 11 and Friday 12 July
    September
    • Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September
    • Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 September
    October Thursday 31 October and Friday 1 November
    November Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 November

  • Refresher course

    Sold out dates will be marked with an *. Please enquire about our waitlist if you are interested.  

    February Monday 12 February, 10 am to 2 pm
    May Monday 13 May, 10 am to 2 pm
    August Tuesday 13 August, 10 am to 2 pm
    November Wednesday 13 November, 10 am to 2 pm

  • Roseworthy campus dates

    Sold out dates will be marked with an *. Please enquire about our waitlist if you are interested.  

    February Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February - students only
    July Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 July
    November Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 November