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

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 CourseMonday 28 and Tuesday 29 June 20219.30am - 4.30pmRegister on TrainME
2-day MHFA CourseMonday 12 Jul and Monday 19 Jul 20219.30am - 4.30pmRegistrations closed
2-day MHFA CourseWednesday 22 and Tuesday 23 Sept9.30am - 4.30pmRegister 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.

CourseDateTimeRegister
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Monday 8 Feb and Monday 15 Feb 2021 9.30am - 12.00pm Registration closed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Tuesday 2 Mar and Tuesday 9 Mar 2021 10.30am - 1.00pm Completed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Thursday 25th March & Thursday 1st 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.

CourseDateTimeRegister
Standard MHFA Refresher Course Thursday 8 Jul  20211 - 5pmRegister 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.

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