EDUCATE. INSPIRE. EMPOWER.
MHFA CORE COURSES
Older Persons Mental Health First Aid
Course overview
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The 12-hour Older Person Mental Health First Aid course is for any interested adult, particularly those who work with, live with or care for older people, including families and carers.
You will learn how to assist a person aged 65+ who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence-based action plan.
This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals.
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Developing mental health problems covered:
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Depression
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Anxiety problems
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Confusion & Dementia
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Psychosis
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Mental health crises covered:
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Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
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Panic attacks
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Delirium
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Unsafe and challenging behaviours due to confusion
Course Structure
& Inclusions:
At BLLC, we pride ourselves on working with each organisation to create the perfect course delivery structure.
This is a 12-hour course, which typically is delivered on the client site as either:
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A 2 days -back to back
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As 2 days -split
Course participants
will receive:
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The highest leave of professional accredited facilitation
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A copy of the most current Older Persona Manual MHFA Manual
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Additional industry-relevant supplement manuals and resources- where required
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Registration and management of accreditation for all participants- including tracking of 3-year refresher requirements for full MHFA courses
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Ongoing post-training support and MHFA counselling for MHFA officers
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A Certificate of Completion &/or accreditation
What can your team expect from this nationally recognised accreditation?
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Participants are equipped with the correct knowledge and appropriate tools to handle crises within an emotionally sensitive and legally appropriate manner.
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A reduction in staff and clients arriving at a crisis point undetected.
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A clear and consistent protocol to ensure the emotional and physical wellbeing of staff and clients.
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Pressure on welfare officers and team leaders is reduced by having fellow adults correctly identifying and referring people in need.
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The improved personal mental health of participants & reduction of stigmatic attitudes.
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Confidence in providing mental health first aid alongside increased support shown to co-workers.
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Who can enrol?
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Any interested adult can attend. The purpose of this course is to help families, friends, professionals and other concerned adults to better support older members of our communities. Early intervention is key to risk minimisation and the underpinning element upholding a duty of care requirement.
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It’s also important to know that there is no prerequisite level of study or work to attend, just as there is no restriction on attending a traditional physical first aid course.
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With that in mind, please do not consider this course to be a therapy or support group session. MHFA is an intensive training program to learn how to offer mental first aid to others and understand self-care in more detail. Due to the nature of the content covered, it is not recommended for those not feeling emotionally resilient. And not to be considered a therapy session of any kind.
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Accreditation & CPD Points​
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Upon completing the course, participants will take a short, open-book online exam. Passing this exam earns participants a Mental Health First Aider Certificate, valid for three years.
Should participants prefer not to take the exam, a Certificate of Completion rather than Accreditations is awarded.
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Most professionals can claim attendance towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within their industry body. However, please check with your relevant industry body if you are unsure of allocation points.
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Below is a sample of industries that award registered or self-appointed CPD points/hours.
This list is by no means exhausted:
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Aged Care Workers
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Psychologists
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Social Workers
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Dietitians
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Speech Pathologists
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Audiologists and Audiometrists
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Lawyers in some states and territories of Australia
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Orthotists and Prosthetists