Mental Health First Aid for the Australian legal profession
Blended Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Australian Legal Profession workshop.
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Blended Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Australian Legal Profession workshop
About 1 in 5 Australian adults experience a common mental illness each year. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training will teach you practical skills to support someone with a mental health problem. Make a real difference to people in your workplace.
This training is tailored for legal professionals and will enable participants to learn in the following areas:
Blended MHFA training for legal professional's benefits:
KNOWLEDGE – Improves knowledge of mental illnesses, treatments and first aid actions.
CONFIDENCE – Increases confidence in providing first aid.
DE-STIGMATISING – Decreases stigmatising attitudes.
SUPPORT – Increases the support provided to others.
In this course, you will learn how to recognise common mental health problems, provide initial support to a person developing a mental health problem, and respond to a crisis. Although this course has been tailored specifically for legal settings, the skills learned can be applied to help any adult.
Mental health problems covered:
• Depression and anxiety
• Psychosis
• Substance use problems
Mental health crises covered:
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe psychotic states
• Severe effects from alcohol or other drug use
• Aggressive behaviours
Mental health first aid is akin to physical first aid but addresses mental health concerns. It involves providing support before professional help is accessed. This support can be given when someone is just starting to experience a mental health issue, when an existing problem worsens, or during a crisis.
The program is grounded in evidence and follows guidelines established by a consensus of individuals with personal experience with mental health problems and professionals. Mental Health First Aid is recognised as an award-winning program and is included in SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.
Course information:
This course will be delivered entirely online in two components:
This course involves self-paced eLearning followed by a 4-hour face-to-face workshop or 5 – hour online instructor-led session. It is not a therapy or support group.
- eLearning – the self-paced and will take approximately 5 -7 hours to complete and you will receive access within a few days of registering for the course. We recommend that you allow sufficient time to complete the eLearning. Please note, the eLearning must be completed in full prior to attending the instructor-led sessions.
- Instructor-led session – we offer two formats of courses either 4-hour face-to-face workshop or 5-hour online instructor-led session, be sure to check which course format you are registering for.
Members – $195
Non-members – $280
View upcoming courses and register
Optional: Become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider
Demonstrate your mental health first aid skills by becoming an Accredited Mental Health First Aider. Complete an online assessment after the course to become accredited.
Meet our presenter
Simonette Vaja, Wellbeing Manager, The Law Society of NSW
Simonette is a registered psychologist, and AHPRA board-approved supervisor who holds a
Master of Arts (Psychology) from the University of Sydney, a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis,
specialist training in trauma-informed E.M.D.R., Diploma compassion and mindfulness teacher.
She has three decades of consulting and clinical experience specific to mental health and
wellbeing, critical incident support and training delivery across a varied range of industries and
corporate organisations, including Law, In House consultants, Government agencies; NSW and
ACT Health; Family and Community Services, Welfare, Finance, Insurance, Mining, Police,
Australian Defence Force and Front-line emergency workers.
Simonette oversees the Law Society’s suite of Mental Health and Wellbeing
programs, including contributing to strategy, policies, initiatives, training, and presentations.
Available as a subject matter expert, delivering mental health and well-being webinars and
mental health first aid training.
With a passion for exploring the NSW coastal beaches and long walks in the Blue Mountains,
her self-care includes daily walks with her border collie, ocean swimming, and regular weekend
getaways. Simonette believes resilience grows from adversity and surviving transitions; we can
benefit greatly when we share our lived experiences and common humanity. The imperfect
fulfilled life.