Information on Mental Health First Aid training opportunities at Murdoch in 2016.

In line with our commitment to look after the wellbeing of the University community, Murdoch will be providing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses to staff members. 

MHFA is the initial support provided by anyone to a person developing or experiencing mental health issues, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Course participants will learn how to provide MHFA in a crisis situation.  This includes knowing:

• the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health problems,
• how to provide initial support to someone experiencing mental crisis,
• where and how professional help can be sought, and
• what help techniques have been shown by research to be most effective.

The two-day University-funded training course will be delivered by accredited instructors from Murdoch University Health: Counselling Service on the following dates in 2016:

Course 1 – Thursday 1 & Friday 2 September

Course 2 – Thursday 29 & Friday 30 September

Interested staff are encouraged to discuss and obtain agreement with their supervisor, and then to express interest in attending by viewing course details on the Training Course Management System and emailing orgcapability@murdoch.edu.au by 1 July.

Course panels will be confirmed shortly after that date.

Any professional or academic staff member with a keen interest in helping someone experiencing or developing a mental crisis is encouraged to nominate for the training, especially those with regular involvement in staff and student welfare. 

Attendees who complete the course and pass the online exam will be accredited as Mental Health First Aiders by MHFA Australia, and included in the University’s ‘community of practitioners’ to help promote and support mental health and wellbeing at Murdoch.

This course is for University staff interested in being a Mental Health First Aider willing to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis. 

If you would like help yourself, the University’s Security, Safety & Wellbeing Guidelines provides information on where and how you can access personal support.

If you have any questions regarding MHFA or these training activities please get in touch with Dan Byles, Manager University Resilience on (08) 9360 6286 or d.byles@murdoch.edu.au.