Mental health training for staff
Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offer a range of mental health training for staff.
Supporting Student Mental Health (online training)
This 40-minute online training program for staff of the University of Melbourne aims to assist you in supporting students experiencing mental health problems. Developed by our counsellors, 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. If you have not set up a Canvas account before, you will be asked to do this prior to enrolling in the course. 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 experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or 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.
CAPS currently offers two options for MHFA training for staff:
- Standard 2-day MHFA Course (2-day in-person)
- Blended Online MHFA Community Course (Completely online)
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.
| Course | Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-day MHFA Course | Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 June 2021 | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Completed |
| 2-day MHFA Course | Monday 12 & Monday 19 Jul 2021 | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Registrations closed |
| 2-day MHFA Course | Thursday 19 & Thursday 26 Aug 2021 | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Cancelled due to lockdown |
| 2-day MHFA Course | Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 Sep 2021 | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Cancelled due to lockdown |
| 2-day MHFA Course | Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 Nov 2021 | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Register on TrainMe |
| 2-day MHFA Course | Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 Dec 2021 | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Register on TrainMe |
Blended Online MHFA Community Course
The Blended Online MHFA Community Course comprises two components:
Course Component 1 - Self-paced interactive eLearning (5 -7 hours)
The eLearning course component presents an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises. There is a fee of $55.00 (including GST) for Course Component 1 until the end of December 2020. From 1 January 2021 - 30 June 2021, the fee will be $88.00 (including GST). This fee is payable directly to MHFA Australia for the eLearning component, and will need to be arranged via your manager and MHFA Australia directly.
Register for Course Component 1 for the Blended Online MHFA Community Course here. Please use your Unimelb staff email address when you create an account with MHFA Australia.
Course Component 2 - Instructor-led video conferencing (2 x 2.5 hour sessions)
Course Component 2 follows the completion of Course Component 1 - eLearning. Course Component 2 provides participants with an opportunity to revise content covered in the self-paced eLearning program and to consolidate the application of this content with the development of practical skills in a group environment online.
CAPS counsellors who are Accredited MHFA Instructors offer Course Component 2 to current staff free of charge.
Course Component 2 needs to be completed within 3 months of Course Component 1 in order to complete accreditation.
Registration for Course Component 2 (Blended Online MHFA Community Course)
Staff can register for Course Component 2 of the Blended Online MHFA Community Course via TrainME. Sessions are listed below.
Completion of Course Component 1 - eLearning is a prerequisite for attending Course Component 2. Please allow at least 2 weeks to complete Component 1 prior to attending Component 2.
| Course | Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) | Monday 8 Feb & Monday 15 Feb 2021 | 9.30am - 12.00pm | Registrations closed |
| Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) | Tuesday 2 Mar & Tuesday 9 Mar 2021 | 10.30am - 1.00pm | Completed |
| Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) | Thursday 25 March & Thursday 1 April 2021 | 9.30am - 12.00pm | Completed |
Mental Health First Aid (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.
| Course | Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard MHFA Refresher Course | Thursday 8 Jul 2021 | 1 - 5pm | Registrations closed |
| Standard MHFA Refresher Course | Tuesday 26 Oct 2021 | 1 - 5pm | Register on TrainMe |
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Suicidal Person
Mental Health First Aid (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. These programs are offered directly following a request from faculties or administrative areas, or through the Staff Wellbeing Program.
To discuss a tailored mental health training session or for further information, please contact the CAPS Workshops and Training team.
Other resources
- A – Z index of Victorian Government Mental Health Services
- Mental Health Act 2014 handbook
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- Guidelines for tertiary institutions to facilitate improved educational outcomes for students with a mental illness (PDF)
- Website for the Mental Health Advisory Group of the University of Melbourne.