Mental Health Awareness

Course Philosophy and Goals

The Mental Health Awareness Course provides participants with a broad understanding of mental health. Participants will learn about the factors that affect mental health, and will be introduced to the more prevalent mental disorders and accompanying signs and symptoms, the influence of stigma and discrimination, guidance on supporting people in distress and advice on honing personal resilience.

Course Structure

The course includes knowledge development followed by practical exercises and scenarios to develop participants’ understanding and confidence in providing support to people experiencing mental disorders.

Section One:

Course Standards

Who may take part in this course?

This course is open to any person over the age of 16.

Ratios

Maximum Student to Instructor ratio: 16:1

Course Duration

The course is performance based but as a general guide is conducted over half a day (3.5 hours).

Certification

A Mental Health Awareness certificate of attendance will be issued to the learner.

Mental Health Awareness Refresher

There is no requirement for formal refresher training, however, participants should be encouraged to refresh their first aid knowledge and skills at regular intervals and advised of opportunities to develop their knowledge through further training (eg; MHFA course portfolio).

Section Two:

Knowledge Development

Conduct

The course is instructor-led with group discussions and practical exercises.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will have an understanding of:

• Mental Health and the factors affecting mental wellbeing
• The signs and symptoms of the most common Mental Health disorders
• The way in which stigma and discrimination can hinder recovery
• How to support people experiencing mental distress
• Ways of improving their own resilience and mental wellbeing