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) courses
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, we are currently offering the Blended Online MHFA Community Course to staff until further notice. This course is completely online, and leads to accreditation as a MHFAider for 3 years. When we are safely able to deliver in-person group training, we will resume our 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 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.
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.
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 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 | Register on TrainME |
| Component 2 (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) | Monday 12 Jul and Monday 19 Jul 2021 | 9.30am - 12.00pm | Register on TrainME |
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Refresher Training
Refresher courses are 2 x 2.5 hour courses delivered via video conferencing that allow 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 will offer MHFA Refresher Training to current staff free of charge.
| Course | Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| MHFA Refresher (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) | Thursday 8 Jul and Thursday 15 Jul 2021 | 9.30am - 12.00pm | Register 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.
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.