Program Outline
About this Program
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid program equips participants with the skills and confidence to provide initial support to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adult experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.
Participants learn practical strategies to recognise signs and symptoms, respond appropriately and support someone until professional help is received or the crisis resolves, with a culturally informed and respectful approach throughout.
Like all People Tank programs, the course is practical, interactive and designed for immediate workplace application, with opportunities for reflection, discussion and real-world learning.
Program Topics
The course has been developed to support information about mental health first aid and self-care
in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and 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
• Alcohol and other drugs
• Substance use problems
• Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours
• Non-Suicidal Self-injury
• Psychosis
• Crisis first aid.
The course also looks at mental health problems in community, social and emotional well-being,
self-care and cultural considerations and safety.
It considers local perspectives and experiences and utilises lived experience stories and Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander photography, film, and art works. This representation matters and leads
to better outcomes for those participating in training and the people they go on to support.
Delivery Options
• Face to face 2 X 7 hour sessions over 2 days
• Blended e-learning followed by a 5 hour virtual session.
Audience
• This course is suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous individuals,
workplaces of all sizes, and volunteer and community groups.
Key Outcomes
Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
• Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
• Understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses and risk factors, with specific information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Gain an understanding of cultural considerations, from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective
• Gain an understanding of the treatments and supports available
• Gain an understanding of the local and cultural supports and resources available to someone experiencing mental health problems
• Know the barriers to support-seeking and how to overcome these
• Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation with
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, in a culturally safe and informed way
• Assess for a range of crisis situations and provide initial support
• Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider.
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