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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid (ATSI MHFA) is a nationally accredited training program that empowers you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise, connect and effectively support First Nations people who may be experiencing mental health issues or a mental health crisis.
We are partnering with Deon Bird Training to provide this training to people and organisations in the creative industries.
This course is for First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous people working with First Nations peoples.
This strengths-based course has been developed and reviewed in consultation with Australia’s First Nations people. The course ensures participants are grounded in social and emotional well-being from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective, equipping them with the skills to provide mental health first aid in a culturally safe and informed way. Â
You will learn how to recognise common mental health issues, provide initial help using a practical, evidence-based action plan, respond in a mental health crisis situation and seek appropriate professional help.
Support Act is thrilled to make this training available free (usually $330 per person) to support a mentally healthier and thriving creative industry.
How does it work?
Why ATSI MHFA?
People in working in music and the creative industries in Australia experience psychological distress at almost four times the rate of the general population*. There is an urgent need to support the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in our industry through psychological services, as well as evidence-based prevention, education and training programs.
For First Nations people, psychological distress is also disproportionately high when compared with that of the general population. By participating in this training and becoming a nationally accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider), you will contribute to improving the psychological safety and wellbeing of our First Nations creative industry workers. This training is for anyone who works in the music or the creative industries, and works with First Nations creatives, performers, crew and arts workers.Â
This training provides cultural context to community care, considers First Nations perspectives and experiences, and features First Nations lived experiences, stories, artworks and photography.
The findings of our 2024 survey, Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Creative Industries (Swinburne University, 2024, authored by Aurora Almes, Emma Riseley), which surveyed 1518 people working professionally in music and the creative industries found:
- 53.5% of participants had high/very high levels of psychological distress
- 57% had experienced suicidal thoughts, which is over 3.4 x the proportion of the general Australian population
- 35% reported having a current mental health condition; which is 1.6 x the rate of the general population
- 43% said they had used drugs or alcohol to help with the stresses of life over the past two years
What You’ll Learn
Learning Outcomes
- Recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems impacting First Nations adults
- Provide initial help using a practical, evidence-based action plan
- Acknowledge the barriers to help-seeking and how to overcome these
- Understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses, risk factors and the treatments and supports available, with specific information about First Nations people
- Gain an understanding of cultural considerations
- Know ways to respond in a crisis situation and where and how to seek appropriate professional support
- Take care of yourself when supporting others
Course Content
This course covers common and disabling mental health problems and crisis situations in First Nations communities. Participants learn how to apply Mental Health First Aid to First Nations adults across a range of situations, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Substance use problems
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Panic attacks
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Traumatic events
Accreditation
To become an nationally accredited MHFAider you must participate and successfully complete each part of the course, including the online quiz. Accreditation is valid for three years. Before the end of the three year accreditation period you can complete a one-time only refresher course to extend your accreditation for a further three years.
Things to consider when enrolling
There’s a time commitment
- Complete online learning (approx six-seven hours) First Aiders must complete the self-paced online learning before attending their workshop/s This consists of five modules that guide you through the learning outcomes
- Attend workshops (five hours split into two, two and a half hours) Guided by a skilled and supportive trainer, you’ll revise and consolidate knowledge in a group environment while applying your skills to specific scenarios
- Accreditation, assessment & feedback (15 multi-choice questions) After the workshop, you’ll be asked to complete a short questionnaire which must be completed to become accredited.
Limited spaces available
What you’ll need
- Your own device, either a laptop or tablet with a webcam and microphone
- Connection to a reliable internet connection.
Together, we keep the course relevant
Take good care of yourself
Please do the things you know work for you to take good care of yourself before, during and after the course.
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free phone counselling service for anyone working in Australian music or the creative industries, easily accessed by calling 1800 959 500.
When enrolling
Which email to use
Enrol with an email address you’re likely to have access to in three years when the information about renewing your accreditation will be sent to you via the email address you provide. Your email is needed to provide the pre-course information and learning materials for the online self-paced programs.
Which postal address to use
Enrol with a postal address where you’re more likely to easily receive the paperback course manual we’ll post to you ahead of the course start date. The manual is essential to participate in the course.
Completing the Online Learning
First Aiders must complete the self-paced online learning before attending their workshop/s. This consists of five modules that guide you through the learning outcomes. Instructions to accessing the learning portal will be emailed to you at least two weeks the workshop.
How can I take part?
If you would like your workplace to take part in the training, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]. Here’s a couple of things to remember:
- To complete an online session you will need a group of 6-12 participants
- To complete a face-to-face session you will need a group of 6-24 participants, please note that an in-person session may incur a fee, please reach out to discuss this further
Looking for more for your workplace? Support Act offers a suite of industry-specific workshops and training sessions like this one, designed to promote mental health awareness, psychological safety and positive cultural change.
Find out more here.
