Accredited Training

Mental health first aid

Course overview

Recognise the signs of mental health challenges and learn how to provide safe, effective support.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone. Being equipped with the right skills can make a real difference during times of crisis and beyond. This accredited, evidence-based course teaches you how to recognise the signs of common mental health conditions, respond appropriately, and provide safe, initial support until professional help is available.

 

Developed by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia and delivered by accredited instructors, this interactive workshop combines theory, practical tools, and real-world application. You’ll develop the knowledge and confidence to respond with empathy, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviour in your workplace, community, or personal networks.

Who should attend

This course is ideal for people working across a wide range of professions and community settings, including:

  • Teachers, educators, and school wellbeing staff
  • Healthcare professionals and support workers
  • Child and family workers, and counsellors
  • Youth workers and community volunteers
  • HR professionals, managers, and team leaders
  • Staff in community organisations, the education sector, and government services


It is also valuable for anyone in the community who wants to better support others and feel confident responding to mental health concerns.

Course structure

By the end of this training, you will be able to:

  • Understand the MHFA Action Plan and how to apply it
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, substance use, psychosis)
  • Provide safe, effective support in both crisis and non-crisis situations
  • Use active listening, empathy, and non-judgmental communication to build trust
  • Respond to suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, or acute distress and connect individuals with professional help
  • Apply strategies for self-care and resilience as a Mental Health First Aider


This training is delivered via a blended learning model, including:

  • 5–7 hours of self-paced eLearning
  • One full-day interactive workshop (9:30am – 4:30pm, online via video conferencing)


Upon completion, you can sit an MHFA assessment to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (valid for 3 years).

About the presenters

Felicity Vance is a lead programs facilitator with the Centre for Learning and Innovation and a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She brings a strong academic and professional background, holding qualifications in family and domestic violence practice, psychology, business, and teaching. Felicity has extensive experience delivering programs in the areas of family violence, mental health, healthy relationships, gender equality, and psychoeducation. She has worked with correctional cohorts, facilitating programs for people engaged with the justice system, and has supported organisations to strengthen gender diversity. Passionate about primary prevention, Felicity combines professional expertise with personal insight to connect with participants from diverse backgrounds.

Luke Pepperell is a lead programs facilitator with the Rehabilitation and Reintegration team and a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, a Certificate IV in mental health, and is currently completing the Graduate Diploma in Relationship Counselling. Luke has delivered programs for people who use violence in both community and prison settings for several years, bringing practical and real-world insight to his teaching. He has also worked with the Centre for Law Enforcement and Public Health as a research assistant, focusing on global strategies to prevent gender-based violence. Alongside his facilitation work, Luke supervises correctional staff across Victoria, supporting them in delivering strength-based psychoeducational programs.

Enrolment and course access

When you register, you will be directed to our secure payment gateway to finalise your enrolment. Once payment is received, a new account will be automatically created for you in our Learning Management System (Moodle), where you will access all course details and resources.

Please note:

  • Registrations for scheduled workshops close 48 hours before the event.
  • All workshops must be paid for at least 2 business days in advance to confirm your place.
  • If paying by invoice, proof of payment must be provided at least 24 hours before the workshop.


For more information, please see our full Training Workshops Cancellation Statement (PDF, 1MB).

Technical requirements

To participate in the online workshop, you’ll need access to:

  • A desktop or laptop computer
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Headphones (recommended)
  • Microphone and speakers
  • A built-in or external webcam

Contact us

For further details or questions, please contact our Centre for Learning and Innovation:

Relationships Australia Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways of Australia. We support Aboriginal people’s right to self-determination and culturally safe services.

Centre for Learning and Innovation

FAQs and contact information

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