Mental health training for staff

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offer a range of mental health training for staff.

For any enquiries related to mental health training, please email caps-workshops@unimelb.edu.au.

Supporting Student Mental Health (online training)

This 50 - 60 minute online training program for staff of the University of Melbourne aims to assist you in supporting students experiencing mental health problems. Developed by CAPS, it covers topics including:

  • An introduction to student mental health
  • How staff can help
  • Responding to students in distress
  • Support services and resources.

To access the training, click on the Enrol button below. After enrolling, when you log-in to the LMS, you will see it in the list of available options on your dashboard.

Enrol in Supporting Student Mental Health

Please note: Chrome is the recommended browser for Canvas.

If you are interested in further mental health training opportunities after completing this program, please see the additional courses offered below or contact the CAPS Workshops and Training team.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training

MHFA training is suitable for staff who have completed the Supporting Student Mental Health online training program and would like to gain more knowledge, skills, and confidence to assist someone who may be developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem, or in a mental health crisis. This help is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.

MHFA training covers mental health problems including:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety problems
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use problems

and mental health crisis situations including:

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
  • Panic attacks
  • Severe effects of drug or alcohol use
  • Severe psychotic states
  • Aggressive behaviours

Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, you will learn how to look out for signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health problem and approach them to start a conversation, how to listen and respond, and help someone access the support they might need as part of their recovery journey. You will also have the opportunity to practise applying MHFA skills in a group setting.

After completing the course requirements including a brief online assessment, participants can become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider.


Standard 2-day MHFA Course

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counsellors who are Accredited MHFA Instructors provide this 2-day training to University staff free of charge. Staff can register for the Standard MHFA Course via TrainME. Sessions are listed below.

CourseDateTimeRegister
2-day MHFA Course Wednesday 8 Feb and Thursday 9 Feb 2023 9.30am - 4.30pm Register here
2-day MHFA CourseTuesday 27 June and Wednesday 28 June9.30am - 4.30pmRegistrations open  Wed 15 February 2023

MHFA Refresher Course

The MHFA Refresher course is a 4-hour in-person course that allows people who have previously completed a 12 or 14-hour MHFA course to refresh their knowledge and skills. For people who are accredited MHFAiders, the refresher courses offer an opportunity to extend their accreditation for a further 3 years.

CAPS counsellors who are Accredited MHFA Instructors offer the Standard MHFA Refresher Course to current staff free of charge.

CourseDateTimeRegister
Standard MHFA Refresher Course  TBC TBC TBC

MHFA for the Suicidal Person

MHFA for the Suicidal Person is an accredited 4-hour face-to-face course developed by MHFA Australia which teaches participants how to safely have a conversation with someone who is suicidal. This course is not a therapy or support group; rather, it is an education course.

This program is ideal for staff or staff groups who:

  • have a specific interest in furthering their knowledge and skills in responding to a suicidal person, but do not want to enrol in the 2-day Standard MHFA course. Course content is covered in the 2-day Standard MHFA course.
  • have completed the 2-day Standard MHFA course, but would like refresher training or further development of their skills in this area.

Please contact the CAPS Workshops and Training team if you or your staff group are interested in this course.

Tailored mental health training

CAPS can offer tailored mental health training for staff groups on topics such as managing students at risk. To discuss a tailored mental health training session or for further information, please contact the CAPS Workshops and Training team.

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