In line with our commitment to look after the wellbeing of the University community, Murdoch will provide three University-funded Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses to staff in 2017. 

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 2017:

Course 1 – Thursday 9 & Friday 10 March (Mandurah Campus)

Course 2 – Thursday 6 & Friday 7 July (South Street Campus)

Course 3 - 31 August & 1 September (South Street Campus)

Interested staff are encouraged to discuss and obtain agreement with their supervisor, and then to enrol via the Training Course Management System.

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 and 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.