Mental Health First Aid training for people supporting the community

About the training 

Do you support people in your community who are experiencing mental health concerns? The City of Melbourne is offering Mental Health First Aid training for people who provide this support, with a particular focus on supporting residents affected by housing redevelopment and relocation in North Melbourne, Carlton and Kensington. 

Housing changes can bring stress, uncertainty, grief and disruption to familiar support networks. Across two days, you will learn how to recognise when someone may be experiencing mental health concerns or a mental health crisis, and how to provide initial support until appropriate professional help is received or the situation resolves. 

The training will also help you have supportive conversations, connect people with professional and community services, understand appropriate boundaries, and look after your own wellbeing while supporting others. 

Who should attend 

This course is for adults aged 18 and over who support community members in North Melbourne, Carlton and Kensington, particularly people affected by housing redevelopment or relocation. You might be a volunteer, resident advocate, peer leader, community worker, or someone who supports neighbours, family or friends. You do not need a formal leadership title or previous mental health training. 

What you will learn 

• Recognise signs that someone may be experiencing mental health concerns or a mental health crisis. 

• Provide appropriate initial mental health first aid support. 

• Have supportive conversations with people experiencing mental health challenges. 

• Know when and how to encourage professional help and connect someone with community support. 

• Understand appropriate boundaries, confidentiality and when further help may be needed. 

•  Look after your own wellbeing while supporting others. 

Attendance and accreditation 

This is one course delivered over two days. If offered a place, you must attend both days in full. Course materials and accreditation administration are included. The provider will explain the assessment requirements for becoming an Accredited Mental Health First Aider. 

Accessibility and participant wellbeing 

We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds and with different learning and access needs. You can tell us about any support you may need when registering or contact us privately before booking. We will discuss available arrangements with you. 

The course discusses mental health concerns and crisis situations, which some people may find personally relevant or distressing. You will not be asked to share your own experiences. Contact us if you would like to discuss the content or support arrangements before attending. 

Register your interest 

Register your interest in attending the full two-day course and answer the registration questions. Registering does not guarantee a place in the training. The event organisers will review registrations and confirm who will be offered a place. You will receive a separate email confirming whether you have been accepted. If offered a place and you can no longer attend, please let us know as soon as possible. 

For questions, help with registration or a private conversation about access needs, contact Lachlan Johansen at lachlan.johansen@melbourne.vic.ov.au or 0419 209 585 

The City of Melbourne will use the information you provide to manage your registration, communicate about the course and plan participant support. Necessary course administration details will be shared with Australian Red Cross. Optional questions can be left blank. For questions about your information, contact Lachlan Johansen Further information on City of Melbourne’s privacy policy can be found here: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/privacy-policy