Would you know how to help?
Around one in five Australian adults experience a mental illness each year. If it was your friend, family member or work colleague who was suffering, would you know how to help? Talk Mental Health can give you the knowledge, confidence and skills to make a real difference.
Talk Mental Health is an accredited provider of Mental Health First Aid courses and training.
Research shows that MHFA training is associated with improved understanding of mental illness, increased knowledge of appropriate first aid strategies, and confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness.
Talk Mental Health can deliver standard MHFA courses to community groups and workplaces across Australia. Led by MHFA Instructor and qualified lawyer Diana Mills, Talk Mental Health is also specially accredited to deliver MHFA for the Workplace and MHFA for the Legal Profession. Learn more about Diana here .
“Diana was engaging and very passionate about the course content. I found the course to be invaluable and that our group had some excellent interactions.”
Almost half of all Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime 1
One in five Australians (21%) have taken time off work in the past 12 months because they felt stressed, anxious, depressed or mentally unhealthy2
Currently in Australia, 1 in 8 people are experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress2
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 4326.0, 2007. ABS: Canberra.
2 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2018). National Health Survey: First Results 2017-18. Canberra: ABS
Talk Mental Health Courses
Our interactive and engaging courses improve awareness and understanding of mental illness and encourages early help-seeking. Early intervention is key to promoting mentally healthy workplaces and improving mental health outcomes for all Australians.
Individuals and the Community
Learn how to assist adults who are developing or experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
Workplaces
Be empowered to have supportive conversations and assist co-workers experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
Legal Professionals
Acquire the knowledge and skills needed to specifically support those working in high pressure legal environments.
Could you recognise the signs & symptoms of mental illness?
Talk Mental Health courses will teach you the early 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 assistance in a crisis situation.
Upcoming Courses
Standard Mental Health First Aid
The Standard Mental Health First Aid course is for any adult interested in learning how to assist someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. On successful completion of this course, students will be issued with a MHFA Certificate of Completion.
Format: 2 x 6 hour face to face sessions led by an accredited MHFA Instructor.
Mental Health First Aid for the Workplace
This blended course teaches managers, supervisors and individuals how to have supportive conversations and assist co-workers experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. On successful completion of this course, students will be issued with a MHFA Certificate of Completion.
Format: Self-directed online training module followed by a 4 hour face to face session with an accredited MHFA Instructor.
Mental Health in the Workplace – Lunch and Learn
Can’t squeeze in a full MHFA course? This one hour session is designed to provide a taster of key mental health themes and can be tailored to focus on an area of particular interest such as increasing awareness of mental illness, reducing stigma or having difficult conversations.
Format: 1 hour face to face sessions led by an accredited MHFA Instructor.
Mental Health First Aid for the Legal Profession
Involving a combination of online and face-to-face training, the MHFA for the Legal Profession course is designed specifically for legal workplaces. On successful completion of this course, students will be issued with a MHFA Certificate of Completion.
Format: Self-directed online training module followed by a 4 hour face to face session with an accredited MHFA Instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis (eg, the person is suicidal or has had a traumatic experience). Like physical first aid, mental health first aid is given until the person receives professional help or until the crisis resolves. Developed in Australia in 2000, it’s regularly updated to ensure it’s drawing upon the latest evidence base. The program is currently available in over 25 countries. The MHFA Program has received a number of Australian and international awards, is recognised in the UK as an example of radical efficiency, and has been listed in the USA by SAMSHA on their National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).
What does a MHFA course cover?
MHFA Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of 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 effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation. All participants receive a copy of the Standard MHFA manual and a MHFA Certificate of Completion.
How do I know that MHFA training works?
MHFA courses are based on evidence of what is best practice mental health first aid to support someone who has a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis. This evidence has been developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne, through developing guidelines that cover a number of mental health problems, crises and in different contexts. Once developed, courses are frequently evaluated to assess the outcomes and are updated according to best practice.
Who delivers the MHFA courses?
Talk Mental Health MHFA Instructors have all been formally trained and accredited by Mental Health First Aid Australia to deliver MHFA courses. They are skilled facilitators with a passion for improving the mental health of their communities. Our Lead Instructor, Diana Mills, has specific training and experience in the delivery of MHFA for Workplaces and the Legal Profession.
Who can attend a MHFA course?
Any interested adult can attend the Standard MHFA Course. We recommend that participants in the MHFA courses for Workplace and Legal Profession be involved specifically in these areas.
How can I take part in a MHFA course?
There are two ways you can take part in a Talk Mental Health MHFA course –
1) Sign up to an existing course (please see upcoming courses here)
2) Contact us to organise a group or workplace session at your preferred location.
What are the costs involved?
The costs of each course varies depending on structure and length. Please note, any travel expenses for the MHFA Instructor must be covered by the organisers. Contact us for a quote that is specific to your needs.
Can I claim CPD points by completing a MHFA course?
Many professionals can claim attendance at a MHFA course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Please check with your industry body for confirmation.
What Our Students Say
“Diana was an excellent instructor. She was engaging, knowledgeable, confident and clear. She had a relaxed yet highly competent style and was equally good at delivering the content, running the activities, encouraging questions, and providing answers. She managed group discussion well so that all participating would feel valued and included yet ran to time on both days of the workshop. In all she was a standout!”
“Diana the instructor, was clear, concise and seemed to manage comments from the participants very well. She was strict about the time starting and finishing, and supplied delicious morning and afternoon teas and lunch. She presented in a knowledgable and confident manner. I really enjoyed the course.”
Become a Mental Health First Aider Today
Our courses are designed to suit both individuals and organisations. View our upcoming courses or if you can’t find what you are looking for, jump over to our contact us page and submit an enquiry or visit MHFA and search for Diana Mills.