Workplace Mental Health First Aid, Group 8: Wed 11/8 + Wed 18/8

Most people now know that mental health problems are common and disabling. Employees struggling with mental health problems may find it difficult to maintain their usual levels of productivity, leading to presenteeism and absenteeism.

Unfortunately, there may not be many people in a workplace who would know how to offer help to a co-worker who is developing depression, troublesome anxiety or a substance use disorder.

So, let's improve your workplace's capability in providing first-level support and guidance for those experiencing a mental health issue, and how to handle a crisis situation.

This training is offered at no cost to you by SEIVA, is delivered by Hearten Up, and supported by Mental Health First Aid Australia and the Achievement Program.

ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based first aid course focused on acquiring knowledge and strategies to improve the confidence and skill to offer help to someone showing the signs and symptoms of a developing mental health problem or a mental health crisis.

Like traditional first aid, MHFA teaches an easy to remember ‘Action Plan’ called ALGEE in order to be able to know how to offer support to a person developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. The skills learned in MHFA training are beneficial inside and outside the workplace.

The MHFA Program is the only internationally recognised evidence-based anti-stigma mental health training program for workplaces.

MHFA training leads to improved knowledge of mental illness, confidence to help someone with a mental illness, and reduces unhelpful stigmatising attitudes that can prevent people from seeking help early.

MHFA is complementary to other workplace mental health training programs that are aimed at building awareness of mental health problems in the workplace. MHFA training differs from most of these programs in that it is focused on skills-based training, not only awareness-raising.

In order to support a skilled mental health first aid workplace culture, it would be ideal if every employee had appropriate knowledge and skills in how to help each other. However, identifying and training appropriate key staff in mental health first aid strategies can be a cost-effective starting point.

Just like regular First Aid Officers, it makes sense to have dedicated staff across a workplace who are trained in how support co-workers experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

TRAINING DELIVERY

Course Component 1: self-paced interactive eLearning (5-7 hours)

The eLearning course component presents an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises. Developing mental health problems covered include:

• Depression
• Anxiety problems
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems

Mental health crises covered:

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Non-suicidal self-injury
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe psychotic states
• Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
• Aggressive behaviour

Course Component 2: facilitated live video workshops via Zoom(2 x 2.5 hour sessions)

Please note you MUST attend BOTH of these video workshops:

1. Wednesday 11 August, 10.00am - 12.30pm
2. Wednesday 18 August, 10.00am - 12.30pm

Follows the eLearning component and provides course participants with an opportunity to:

• Revise the eLearning content and the MHFA Action Plan
• Clarify any points of uncertainty remaining after completion of the eLearning modules
• Apply the MHFA Action Plan to relevant scenarios
• Discuss and reflect 'a where to from now' in using mental health first aid skills
• Develop a self-care plan to maintain good mental health.
• Both course components of the course are to be completed within a 3-month period.

This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals.