Upcoming courses
Dates: 25 and 26 May
Times: 9am - 4pm
Location and Venue: Ramada Newmarket, 41 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland
To register your interest contact Jodi Kelly
About 1 in 5 New Zealand adults experience a common mental illness each year. Understanding how to talk about mental health and help someone in need are important skills. Many people feel uncomfortable and unprepared when considering approaching someone whose mental health they are concerned about. At a Mental Health First Aid workshop people learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and gain the skills to feel confident and able to help those in need. This training not only benefits the individual but also their workplace, whānau and the wider community.
What is covered in an MHFA workshop?
Participants learn to recognise common mental health challenges, how to provide initial help to someone experiencing a mental health challenge using a practical, evidence-based action plan, and how to respond in a crisis situation. During the workshop participants have the opportunity to practice new skills in a safe environment.
Mental health challenges covered in the course include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Substance use problems
Mental Health Crisis Covered:
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Non- Suicidal self-injury
- Panic attack
- Traumatic events
- Severe effects from Alcohol or other substance use
- Aggressive behaviours
Participants will also learn the ALGEE five step action plan:
Approach, assess and assist any crisis
Listen and communicate non judgementally
Give support and information
Encourage professional help
Encourage other supports
Workshop outcomes
Mental Health First Aid training outcomes
KNOWLEDGE Increases mental health literacy
CONFIDENCE Increases confidence in providing mental health first aid
DE-STIGMATISING Decreases stigmatising attitudes
SUPPORT Increases the support provided to others
Why attend a Mental Health First Aid workshop?
Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ understanding of the mental health challenges people experience, their options for treatments and helpful first aid strategies. Participants report increased confidence in their ability to offer Mental Health First Aid, which enables prompt access to help. The training also decreases stigma and discrimination that many people with mental health and addiction challenges experience.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in the workplace
An increasing number of workplaces are recognising the impact of mental health challenges on their people and productivity. Encouraging employees to seek help early is one way to promote a mentally healthy workplace. Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based workshop which gives employees the skills and confidence to have supportive conversations with their co-workers and help guide them to professional help if needed.
MHFA Champions
Just like appointing physical first aid officers, many organisations choose to appoint accredited Mental Health First Aiders as champions within their workplace. Mental Health First Aid Champions are appointed and supported to:
- Provide mental health first aid within their worksite.
- Escalate any matters in a prompt and appropriate fashion according to relevant organisational policy and procedures.
Who can attend this course?
Anyone over 18 can attend.
Workshop structure
The standard MHFA face-to-face course is 12 hours. This can be delivered in a number of ways, so you can choose a structure that suits your organisation.
Minimum number of participants: 8
Maximum number of participants: 20
Cost
For course costs please email [email protected]
After the training
People who attend Mental Health First Aid training can complete an online assessment to be accredited as a Mental Health First Aider. The accreditation is valid for three years. If you choose not to be accredited, you will receive a certificate of participation.
Please note: This workshop is not a therapy or a support group.
More information on Te Pou and MHFA Aotearoa can be found here