Why Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of a mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis.

Mental Health First Aid Training is for everyone. Just like physical First Aid training, it teaches people how to provide initial help until professional help is received, or until the mental health crisis resolves.

Mental illness is becoming more and more common, with 1 in 5 people experiencing a common mental illness in any given year.

The chances are, if you haven’t experienced a mental illness yourself, it is more than likely that you will have a colleague, employee, friend or family member who has in the past, or is currently experiencing mental illness.

Research has shown that early intervention is vital for mental illness, yet due to the very nature of the illness, people often don’t have insight into what they’re experiencing which can lead to a delay in seeking help. This is where Mental Health First Aiders can provide essential help.

Research has also shown that someone experiencing a mental illness is more likely to seek help if someone close to them suggests it.

Mental Health First Aid training teaches participants how to recognise the signs of a developing mental illness, and to provide initial help to adults. It also teaches participants what to do if someone is experiencing a mental health crisis such as suicidal thoughts and behaviours, psychosis, panic attacks, traumatic events and severe psychotic states.

Benefits for Everyone:

  • Increased knowledge of common mental illness and how to identify the signs that someone might be developing a mental health problem.

  • How to identify the signs that someone might be having suicidal thoughts and how to help.

  • Improved knowledge leads to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness in society.

  • Early intervention means someone is more likely to make a full recovery.

  • Professional help is not always immediately available – Mental Health First Aiders can help until professional help can be accessed.

Specific Benefits for Organisations:

  • Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health problems and mental illness in your organisation.

  • Managers are well equipped to manage employees with mental illness.

  • Organisations taking mental health seriously leads to improved morale.

  • Meet Work Health and Safety Duty of Care obligations.

  • Early intervention means a decrease in employee absenteeism, also providing a financial benefit.

  • A decrease in employee presenteeism and an increase in employee productivity.

  • Recognise the signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

View Courses

Insight Canberra - Mental Health Courses

We have a wide range of courses available, from introductory to fully accredited courses, along with refresher courses. Mental Health First Aid training teaches participants how to recognise the signs of a developing mental illness, and to provide initial help to adults.

View Courses

“Caroline was friendly, highly knowledgeable and very willing to answer questions. I enjoyed the course and feel more confident in supporting people who may be experiencing mental illness. I would recommend Caroline as a presenter of this course to others and will seek out a course she is running should I decide to do further training in this area. “
Clare – Icon Water

Enter email for course updates and articles.