Mental health training for students

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

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

Supporting student mental health - Looking after yourself and others (Online training)

Developed by CAPS counsellors, this 50-minute self-paced online mental health training program provides a practical framework for students to learn ways to care for their own mental health, and develop skills to help you approach someone you are concerned about.

This program is suitable for: All students.

You will learn how to:

  • Recognise common stressors university students may experience and ways we cope with change and stress
  • Provide support to other students who may be experiencing mental health problems
  • Identify self-care strategies and set healthy boundaries
  • Identify and access key support services both within and outside University.

The program includes a range of interactive exercises and video clips. You will hear personal stories from students and follow the experiences of two students as they support their friends with mental health problems.

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 - Looking After Yourself and Others

Please note: Chrome is the recommended browser for Canvas.

Supporting student mental health as a student leader (Online training)

Developed by CAPS counsellors, this 50-60 minute self-paced online mental health training program for student leaders outlines a practical framework to recognise and assist another student who may be experiencing mental health issues.

This program is suitable for: Students who identify as being in a leadership role.

You will learn how to:

  • Recognise common stressors university students may experience and ways we cope with change and stress
  • Provide effective peer support to other students who may be experiencing mental health problems
  • Identify ways to care for your own mental health and develop healthy boundaries in the student leader role
  • Identify key University and external services and link someone with appropriate support.

The program includes a range of interactive exercises, video clips, and hearing personal stories from students about their mental health at university. You will also follow the experiences of two student leaders as they support their peers.

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 as a Student Leader

Please note: Chrome is the recommended browser for Canvas.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training

MHFA training helps mobilise and empower people by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to another adult experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.

You will learn how 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, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical evidence-based action plan.

You will also have the opportunity to practise applying MHFA skills in a group setting.

What does MHFA cover?

MHFA is an education course that teaches adults about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, including mental health crisis situations.

Topics covered include:

  • 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

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

Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Due to technical issues on the MHFA website preventing students from gaining access to the eLearning component of the Standard MHFA for Tertiary Students, CAPS is currently offering students the 2-day Standard MHFA Course.

CAPS counsellors who are Licensed MHFA Instructors provide this in-person training to currently enrolled students free of charge.

Please only register for this session if you can attend both dates listed below.

CourseDateTimeRegister
2-day Standard MHFA TrainingFriday 23 February and
Friday 1 March 2024
9.30am - 4.30pmCompleted
2-day Standard MHFA TrainingFriday 19 April and Friday 26 April9.30am - 4.30pmRegistrations open Friday 22 March

Standard Mental Health First Aid for Tertiary Students

This program is currently on hold due to technical issues on the MHFA website.

The Standard Mental Health First Aid for Tertiary Students comprises two components: (i) online (eLearning) followed by (ii) a half day of in-person training.

eLearning

The interactive self-paced eLearning component presents an overview of mental health problems and mental health crises. There is a fee of $60.00 (plus postage) for the eLearning. This fee is paid directly to MHFA Australia. Please email us at caps-workshops@unimelb.edu.au for detailed instructions on how to access the e-learning. It is recommended that you allow 5-7 hours to complete the eLearning.

Half-day in-person training

The half-day in-person training component follows the eLearning component. The in-person training focuses on the revision and application of knowledge and skills learnt in the eLearning component, providing participants with the opportunity to:

  • Examine issues pertinent to mental health problems in the student population in more depth
  • Clarify any points of uncertainty remaining after completion of eLearning modules
  • Apply the MHFA Action Plan to relevant scenarios.

CAPS counsellors who are Licensed MHFA Instructors provide this in-person training to currently enrolled students free of charge.

Registration for half-day in-person training (Standard MHFA for Tertiary Students)

Completion of the eLearning is a prerequisite for attending these sessions. The half-day in-person training needs to be completed within 3 months of the eLearning in order to complete accreditation.

You can register for the in-person training sessions below. Please sign in with your unimelb email address and password. To register, you will need to upload your certificate of completion of the eLearning (Standard MHFA for Tertiary Students). Please only register for one session, and cancel your registration if you are no longer able to attend so places can be offered to students on the waitlist.

CourseDateTimeRegister
Half-day in-person training (Standard MHFA for Tertiary Students)Wednesday 31 January 202412.30pm - 4.30pmCancelled
Half-day in-person training (Standard MHFA for Tertiary Students)Tuesday 27 February 202412.30pm - 4.30pmCancelled