Standard Mental Health First Aid
Standard Mental Health First Aid – Learn how you can provide support to adults with mental health problems.
- 2 x full-day instructor-led training sessions
- Certificate of Accreditation
Why Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) are a group of courses developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia in partnership with the University of Melbourne.
The courses are throughly evaluated, evidence based and provide skills development to members of the community.
Since its inception in 2000, Mental Health First Aid has become one of the most trusted courses of its kind. It is currently delivered in 26 countries and with more than 50,000 instructors worldwide.
Over 1 million people have been trained in Australia alone!
Enrol Now to Become a Mental Health First Aider
On receipt of your registration and payment, we will forward to you further information about the course. If you have any questions, let us know! We are more than happy to answer any of your questions. Call us 1800 477 627 or send us an email at mentalhealthfirstaid@peoplesmartz.com.au.
Course Content - Standard Mental Health First Aid
This is an educational course designed to learn how to give Mental Health First Aid to others. The course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals. It provides an overview of mental illnesses, risk factors, prevalence, and impact before taking a much closer look at the following mental health problems:
- the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health problems in adults,
- how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help,
- what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective; and,
- how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.
Mental Health Crisis Situations Covered
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Panic attacks
Traumatic events
Severe effects of drugs and alchohol
Severe psychotic states
Aggressive behaviour
Developing mental health problems covered
Depression
Anxiety
Psychosis
Substance use problems


Meet Jennifer Blaikie - Our Licensed Principal Master Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Jenny has had an incredible life, growing up in various remote communities of Papua New Guinea, travelling extensively and living in numerous countries amongst communities of different social, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Through her experience and background, she has developed a strong sense of compassion, tolerance, empathy and respect.
Jenny is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in intensive care, Community Health, Defence Health and Education. Her clinical experience has seen her working within communities where mental health was a significant player. It has always been something that has been foremost in her mind.
Having always gravitated towards opportunities that would allow her to help others, Jenny is currently volunteering as a Service Manager for Orange Sky Australia. This young, vibrant and innovative not for profit organisation offers free showers, laundry and conversation to those of our community experiencing homelessness. Jenny’s role at Orange Sky Australia sees her managing volunteers to run its ever-expanding laundry services across Brisbane.
She has always been an educator and trainer, from working with Indigenous nursing students on Thursday Island to training and mentoring volunteers at Orange Sky Australia – each of her roles has had an aspect of developing others.
While working with Orange Sky Australia, she was introduced to the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, and very quickly decided this was something where she could use her background and experience to help others.
Feedback from our participants
Jenny made learning easy. Her facilitation made it easy to follow for all who were present despite levels of knowledge. Catered for her group with empathy.
(This course) has definitely re-lit the fire inside me again to want to be out there in the world to help others in their needs.
Great instructor. Very friendly and positive and made me feel welcome and invited to ask or answer any questions.
Fantastic job, very knowledgeable, friendly and inclusive.
Down to earth, knowledgeable, approachable.
Highly helpful & informative. Offered usable techniques.
Definitely something all managers should undertake.
Jenny was wonderful and energetic. She explained the course content in a lively and engaging way, and was knowledgeable and open to answering any question.
FAQs
To see the upcoming lineup of courses, visit our events page.
Yes, once the course is completed, you will be issued with a Statement of Completion, as well as a certificate of accreditation. You will also be invited to complete to provide feedback about the course before receiving your accreditation.
Yes – there are two different versions of the standard courses available from People Smartz. These include a Community based course and a Workplace based course. To learn more about the Workplace based course, contact us here.
Course requirements are required to be Australian Residents and over the age of 18.
Enrolment details can be found by selecting your course through our events page. On receipt of your registration and payment, we will forward you further information about the course.
- Except in exceptional circumstances, once you have enrolled, our courses are non-refundable.
- If you are unable to attend your scheduled course, we will work with you to reschedule you to a future course.
- In the event that we accept that your circumstances are exceptional, the current options are available:
- 21+ days before course: 100% of your course fee can be refunded.
- 21-7 days before course: 50% of your course fee can be refunded.
- No refund is payable within 7 days of your first instructor led session.