Standard Mental Health First Aid

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is experiencing a mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis. Like physical first aid, mental health first aid is given until the person receives professional help or until the crisis resolves.

Developing mental health problems covered include:
• Depression
• Anxiety problems
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems.

Mental health crisis situations covered include:
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called deliberate self-harm)
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe effects of drug or alcohol use
• Severe psychotic states
• Aggressive behaviours

Mental health first aid strategies are taught in evidence-based training courses authored by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia and delivered by accredited MHFA Instructors. The Australian Primary Mental Health Alliance (APMH Alliance) offers MHFA Courses delivered by Instructors accredited by MHFA Australia.