Standard Mental Health First Aid

The 12-hour Standard Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) course teaches adults how to provide initial support to adults who are developing any of the following mental health problems, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or mental health crises:

Developing mental health problems

• Depression
• Anxiety problems
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems.

Mental health crises

• 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.

SMHFA is based on the international MHFA Guidelines. Curriculum content is evidence-based, with the input of mental health professionals, researchers and consumer advocates.

Who can attend SMHFA?

Any adult can attend SMHFA. There are no pre-requisites.

WHY ATTEND SMHFA?

You will gain improved knowledge of:

• mental illnesses and their interventions
• appropriate mental health first aid strategies
• confidence in providing first aid to individuals with a mental health problem.

CAN I get cpd points?

The course is endorsed by the following:
Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN)
Australian College of Midwives (ACM)
Australian College of Nurses (ACN)
Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)

In addition, for the following professionals, if a relevant CPD learning goal can be met by a Mental Health First Aid course, course attendance can be claimed as continuing professional development (CPD) by:

Psychologists
Social Workers
Teachers
Dieticians
Speech Pathologists
Audiologists and audiometrists
Lawyers in some states and territories of Australia
Orthotists and Prosthetists

FlexiMinds Advantage

Mental Health First Aid Trainers are not required to be clinicians. Our SMHFA trainer is a psychologist with years of clinical experience. This would add clinical validity and experience to an evidence-based course.

As with all FlexiMinds courses, course attendees are supported by:

• Online support via email for 2 months
• Experienced support clinical staff (including consultant psychiatrist)
• Local presence of a training company that is here to stay