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

    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. You will need to provide a copy of your Certificate of Accreditation to the Instructor prior to the training. You can access a copy via your Mental Health First Aid Account.

    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.

  • Registration and contact information

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

Course dates 2025

  • Staff dates

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

    February Thursday 13 and Friday 14 February *
    March
    • Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 March *
    • Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March
    May

    Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 May 
    June Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 June
    July Thursday 10 and Friday 11 July 
    August

    Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 August 
    October Thursday 23 and Friday 24 October
    November Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 November
    December Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December

  • Student dates

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

    February Tuesday 18  and Wednesday 19 February*
    April

    Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April 
    June Thursday 12  and Friday 13
    July

    Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 July 
    September
    • Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 September
    • Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 September
    November Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 November

  • Refresher course

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

    February Tuesday 4 February, 10 am to 2 pm
    May Monday 12 May, 10 am to 2 pm
    August Wednesday 13 August, 10 am to 2 pm
    November Tuesday 25 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 17 and Tuesday 18 February 
    July Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 July
    November Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 November