Mental Health First Aid Guidelines

Guiding Our Courses

Our courses are grounded in research and guided by the voice of lived experience. Each course is based on comprehensive guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems, mental health carers and mental health professionals.  

These guidelines provide an evidence-based framework for providing mental health first aid to someone that may be experiencing a mental health problem.

Our Guidelines cover many topics

Guidelines in the following areas have been developed. To request a copy of any of the following Guidelines, contact us via the details below. 

Mental Health Problems

  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Gambling harm
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use problems

Mental Health Crisis

  • Aggressive behaviours
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Panic attacks
  • Severe effects from alcohol or drug use
  • Severe psychotic states
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
  • Traumatic events (adults and children)

Guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

  • Adolescent communication
  • Cultural considerations and communication techniques
  • Depression
  • Gambling
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Problem drug use
  • Problem alcohol use
  • Psychosis
  • Suicide
  • Trauma

Guideline considerations for specific populations

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Adolescents
  • Caregivers of people with mental illness
  • Deaf community
  • LGBTIQA + people
  • Older people
  • People with an intellectual disability
  • Refugee and immigrant communities
  • Support persons for people with a mental health problem and financial difficulties

Specific settings

  • Financial Counsellors
  • Tertiary
  • Workplaces

For enquiries about our Guidelines or to request downloadable versions, please email us:

Please be aware that responses from this address are not immediate, as we check this inbox at set intervals.

Thank you for your patience.

Important Notice: This is not an emergency helpline.

Need urgent help?

For immediate crisis assistance: Dial Triple Zero (000).

For 24/7 support: Contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.

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