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) course

This course is suitable for staff who have completed the Supporting Student Mental Health online training program, and would like to learn more about common mental illnesses and practise applying mental health first aid skills in a group setting.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: To prioritise the health and wellbeing of the University community, and in line with the University's response, we have temporarily transitioned to completely online MHFA Courses for the remainder of 2020. 

We are now offering the Blended Online MHFA Community Course to staff. This course has been adapted from the Standard MHFA course (2-day) previously offered. The Blended Online MHFA Community Course is an equivalent qualification that leads to accreditation as a MHFAider for 3 years.

When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and we are safely able to deliver face-to-face group training, we will resume our in person 2-day Standard MHFA courses for staff in addition to the Blended Online MHFA Community Course.

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. This fee is payable directly to MHFA Australia for the eLearning component. To register for Course Component 1 and for more information about the Blended Online MHFA Community Course, visit this link on the MHFA Australia website. The cost and registration for the Course Component 1 - eLearning will need to be arranged via your manager and MHFA Australia directly.

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.

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counsellors who are Accredited MHFA Instructors will 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.

You can register for the 2 x 2.5 hour Instructor-led video conferencing sessions via TrainME. Our sessions for the remainder of 2020 are listed below.

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. 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) Thursday 18 and Thursday 25 June 9.30am - 12.00pm Registration closed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Wednesday 8 and Wednesday 15 July 9.30am - 12.00pm Registration closed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Monday 20 and Monday 27 July 9.30am - 12.00pm Registration closed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Tuesday 18 and Tuesday 25 August (Southbank Staff) 1.30pm - 4.00pm Registration closed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Tuesday 8 and Tuesday 15 September 10.00am - 12.30pm Registration closed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Wednesday 7 and Wednesday 14 October 9.30am - 12.00pm Registration closed
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Thursday 5 and Thursday 12 November 9.30am - 12.00pm Register now on TrainME
Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Monday 16 and Monday 23 November 10.00am - 12.30pm Register now on TrainME

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Suicidal Person

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: This course is not currently available in an online capacity. If you have concerns about a student, we encourage you to view our students at risk online resource and consider a secondary consultation (Mental Health Advice Line).

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.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: We are able to offer tailored mental health training in an online webinar format.

To discuss a tailored mental health training session or for further information, please contact the CAPS Workshops and Training team.

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