Free Mental Health First Aid Courses for JCU Nursing and Midwifery Students

These tailored courses teach nursing and midwifery students how to assist their peers when they are experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem.

This initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing until June 2014.

What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

What is the Mental Health First Aid for Nursing Students Courses?
The free courses for nursing and midwifery students are tailored versions of the 12-hour 3rd edition Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course (launched in 2013). The content of the course is derived from a number of consensus studies incorporating the expertise of hundreds of researchers, clinicians, mental health consumer advocates and carer advocates across the English speaking western world. This has been supplemented with materials tailored for medical and nursing students developed under the guidance of two expert working groups. Places are strictly limited. This is one off funding so students need to select a course and email jenny.kelly@jcu.edu.au to reserve their place. See course dates/times below.

Course Content
The MHFA for medical and nursing students courses teach medical and nursing students how to assist a peer who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, using case-studies, videos and resources tailored to their learning needs. The mental health first aid skills learnt can be applied to help any adult.

Developing Mental Health Problems Covered:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Psychosis
• Substance misuse

Mental health crises covered:

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
• Non-suicidal self-injury
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe psychotic states
• Acute effects from alcohol or other drug misuse
• Aggressive behaviours

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Who is This Training For?
Any interested nursing/midwifery student can attend these courses for free until June 2014. The focus of training is on how students can help their fellow peers, rather than preparing them to help their future patients. Please note this is an education course, not a therapy or support group. 

JCU TOWNSVILLE
Sat/Sun 3 & 4 Aug
Mon/Tues 12 & 13 Aug
Thurs/Fri 15 & 16 Aug
Mon/Tues 16 & 17 Dec

JCU CAIRNS
Fri/Sat  18 & 19 Oct
Sat/Sun 26 & 27 Oct
Sat/Sun 9 & 10 Nov 

JCU MACKAY
Mon/Tues 19 & 20 Aug
Thurs/Fri 22 & 23 Aug

Future dates to be advised.

How to Register
Places are strictly limited so first in will get a spot. This opportunity will not present itself again as it is a one off project.   To register, students must email jenny.kelly@jcu.edu.au advising which year level they are currently enrolled in and which site and dates they wish to attend. It is a two day course and runs from 0830–1630 each day. Students must attend both days and need to bring their own lunch.

For further information contact jenny.kelly@jcu.edu.au