Comprehensive, nationally accredited training that equips individuals and teams with the skills to recognise and respond to mental health problems and crises.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an in-depth, evidence-based training program that teaches adults how to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is available or the issue resolves.
The course provides a structured, practical Action Plan and builds the confidence to have supportive, informed conversations about mental health at work, at home and in the community.
Support Act is proud to offer this nationally accredited training free of charge (usually $330 per person) to help strengthen early support and intervention capacity across Australia’s music and creative industries.
Learn how to provide initial support to another adult experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, using a practical, evidence-based framework.
A culturally specific course focused on providing initial support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults experiencing mental health problems or crisis situations.
Accreditation is valid for three years. Before expiry, participants can complete a refresher course to extend accreditation for a further three years.
Why Mental Health First Aid
Support Act’s Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts survey (2022) revealed significantly elevated mental health risk in the sector:
- 66% reported high or very high psychological distress, more than four times the general population
- 59% reported experiencing suicidal thoughts
- 35% reported a current mental health condition
- Rates of anxiety and depression were more than double national averages
- Over half reported using alcohol or drugs to cope with stress
Mental Health First Aid strengthens early intervention skills and helps reduce stigma, improve support pathways and increase confidence in responding to mental health concerns.
The course is recognised by Suicide Prevention Australia as a safe, high-quality and effective suicide prevention program.
What You’ll Learn
Participants gain practical knowledge and skills to:
- Recognise signs and symptoms of common mental health problems
- Provide initial support using a structured, evidence-based Action Plan
- Respond appropriately in crisis situations
- Encourage professional help-seeking and other supports
- Understand barriers to seeking help and how to address them
- Take care of their own wellbeing while supporting others
The course covers common mental health problems and crisis situations including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Substance use problems
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Panic attacks
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Traumatic events
Course Content
This course covers common and disabling mental health problems and crisis situations. Participants learn how to apply mental health first aid to 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
How accreditation works
To become a nationally accredited MHFAider, participants must:
- Complete all required online learning modules
- Attend the instructor-led workshop sessions
- Complete the post-course accreditation assessment (15 multiple choice questions)
Accreditation is valid for three years.
Time commitment and format
The Standard MHFA course requires approximately 11–12 hours total:
- Self-paced online learning: 6–7 hours (must be completed before the workshop)
- Instructor-led workshops: 5 hours (either two 2.5-hour sessions or one 5-hour session)
- Assessment: Short post-course questionnaire
The Refresher course requires approximately 5 hours.
All online components must be completed before attending the live session.
What you need
For online courses:
- A laptop or tablet with webcam and microphone
- Reliable internet connection
- Completion of all pre-course online modules
Active participation is required. Cameras and microphones must be on during workshop sessions. Recording is not permitted.
A printed course manual will be posted to you before the course and is required for participation.
Things to consider when enrolling
There’s a time commitment
- This is a substantial training commitment. Please ensure you can complete all components.
- Spaces are limited and enrolment does not guarantee placement until confirmed via email.
- If your plans change, notify us early so the place can be offered to someone else.
- Enrol using an email address you will still have access to in three years for accreditation renewal.
- Use a reliable postal address to receive your course manual.
For workplaces
We can deliver MHFA training for teams.
Online sessions require 6–12 participants.
Face-to-face sessions require 6–24 participants (in-person delivery may incur a fee).
To organise workplace training, email: [email protected]
Take good care of yourself
The course discusses mental health crises and can be emotionally activating. Please plan how you will take care of yourself before, during and after training.
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is available free of charge for anyone working in Australian music or the arts on 1800 959 500.
Clinically speaking...
With significantly elevated rates of psychological distress, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation reported across the music and creative industries, structured early intervention skills are essential. Mental Health First Aid equips participants to recognise symptoms of mental illness and crisis, provide initial support using an evidence-based Action Plan and connect individuals to appropriate professional care.
By increasing mental health literacy and intervention capacity within high-risk communities, this program supports early treatment access and contributes to the prevention and alleviation of mental ill health.
The training will teach you 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.
First Nations Mental Health First Aid is now also available, specifically for First Nations musicians, managers, crew and music workers, and non-Indigenous people working with them.
How to enrol
Choose a date that works for you
Complete the enrolment form
Recieve confirmation email
Complete your self-paced online modules
Attend your workshop
Complete your accreditation assessment
Receive your Certificate (valid for three years)
For workplaces
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
The serious stuff
Support Act is a registered Public Benevolent Institution (PBI).
This means our primary purpose is to relieve distress, hardship and suffering, and to support people who are experiencing, or are at risk of, significant vulnerability.
Our PBI status reflects our commitment to delivering programs that provide genuine public benefit, are responsibly governed, and remain focused on supporting those who need help most across the music and creative industries.
