Community Mental Health First Aid Course Online
Learn how to recognise the signs of mental health problems and offer safe, practical first aid support to the adults around you. Delivered live via Zoom to participants in every Australian state and territory: NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, SA, WA, NT and the ACT.
- Format eLearning + 2 live Zoom sessions
- Zoom sessions Mon & Tue or Sat & Sun, 9:00am to 11:30am NSW/VIC time
- Runs Fortnightly rotation
- Fee $410 + GST, plus $20 + GST Learner Access Pass
Dal Sahota
Clinical Hypno-Psychotherapist
Principal Master Mental Health Educator
MHFA Australia Licensed Instructor
Reserve your place
Book and pay securely by card. Your seat is held in the next fortnightly rotation and your eLearning access is arranged.
Complete the eLearning
Work through 5 to 8 hours of self-paced online modules in your own time. This must be finished before your first Zoom session.
Attend the Zoom sessions
Join Dal live for 2.5 hours on each of 2 days. Sessions are confirmed at 6 or more participants, or your booking rolls to the next fortnight.
Secure card payment upfront. Sessions confirmed at 6+ participants, or your place rolls to the next fortnight.
Practical mental health first aid skills for everyday community life
The Community Mental Health First Aid course is designed for any adult who wants the skills to support family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues and other community members experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. Because the course runs entirely online, a volunteer in regional New South Wales, a carer in Perth and a sporting club coordinator in Brisbane can all train together in the same group.
This course suits
- Volunteers and members of community organisations, sporting clubs and faith groups anywhere in Australia
- Carers, parents and family members supporting adults with mental health challenges
- Community project teams and local outreach programs, from metropolitan Victoria to remote areas of the Northern Territory
- Anyone who wants recognised, evidence-based skills to help the people around them
What you gain
- The confidence to start a supportive conversation early, before a problem escalates
- A clear action plan for responding to mental health crises
- Knowledge of where and how to guide someone toward professional help
- Eligibility to complete the online assessment and gain 3-year accreditation as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider) with MHFA Australia
Two components, completed over one fortnightly rotation
This is a blended online course accredited by MHFA Australia. You complete the theory at your own pace first, then bring it to life in two live, interactive Zoom sessions with Dal. Sessions run across 2 consecutive days: Monday and Tuesday, or Saturday and Sunday for those who prefer a weekend option.
Self-paced eLearning
5 to 8 hours of online modules, completed in your own time before the Zoom sessions begin.
Live Zoom session
Monday or Saturday, 9:00am to 11:30am NSW/VIC time. 2.5 hours of discussion, scenarios and practical application with Dal.
Live Zoom session
Tuesday or Sunday, 9:00am to 11:30am NSW/VIC time. A further 2.5 hours, bringing the live component to 5 hours in total.
Accreditation
Complete the MHFA Australia online assessment to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider), accredited for 3 years.
Courses run on a fortnightly rotation. If a session does not reach the minimum of 6 participants, your booking rolls to the next fortnight and your eLearning progress is unaffected.
Session times in every state and territory
Live sessions are anchored to 9:00am to 11:30am NSW/VIC time and welcome participants from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Canberra alike. Use the highlighted column to find your local start time today.
| Where you are | During standard time (April to October)Applies now |
During daylight saving (October to April)Applies now |
|---|---|---|
| NSW, VIC, TAS, ACT | 9:00am to 11:30am | 9:00am to 11:30am |
| QLD | 9:00am to 11:30am | 8:00am to 10:30am |
| SA | 8:30am to 11:00am | 8:30am to 11:00am |
| NT | 8:30am to 11:00am | 7:30am to 10:00am |
| WA | 7:00am to 9:30am | 6:00am to 8:30am |
The highlighted column shows the times that apply today. Your confirmation email always states the exact dates and your exact local start time for the rotation you have booked.
A note for Western Australia participants
Because sessions are anchored to NSW/VIC time, Perth participants have an early start: 7:00am during the standard time months, and 6:00am while the eastern states are on daylight saving. Many WA participants find the early sessions work well, finishing before the workday begins. One WA participant, reviewing another of Dal's online courses, wrote:
"WA time is a bit of an early start (7am) however I preferred that in the end. Dal has great content knowledge and facilitates and engages participants well." Olive Mereyato, verified Google review
What you will learn
The course teaches you how to recognise and respond to the mental health problems most commonly experienced by adults, and how to provide first aid in a mental health crisis until professional help is available or the crisis resolves.
Recognising and supporting
- Depression and anxiety problems
- Psychosis
- Substance use problems
- How to have a safe, non-judgemental conversation and encourage appropriate professional help
Responding in a crisis
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Panic attacks and traumatic events
- Severe effects of substance use and severe psychotic states
The course also covers the boundaries of the Mental Health First Aider role, so you always understand where first aid ends and professional care begins. Referral pathways are discussed with the whole group in mind, whether you are connecting someone to support services in a capital city or a regional community in Queensland, Tasmania or South Australia.
Trained by a clinician, not just a course presenter
This course is delivered by Dal Sahota, an MHFA Australia Licensed Instructor, Clinical Hypno-Psychotherapist and Principal Master Mental Health Educator. Dal brings years of clinical practice into every session, which means your questions are answered from real therapeutic experience, and sensitive topics are handled with genuine clinical care.
"Dal is an exceptional psychotherapist and mental health trainer. Her sessions are surprisingly versatile where she not only tailors her training style to accommodate trainees of different backgrounds but also gently challenges learners to enhance their learning skills and comprehension. She also balances her sessions with equal amount of instruction and group discussions, thereby allowing the learners to grasp and apply what they have learnt as soon as possible. I highly recommend making the most of her expertise and experience."Vinay Umarji
Verified Google review
What participants say about the Community course
"I recently completed the MHFA Community Course with Dal. The training combines easy-to-follow online learning modules with two interactive Zoom sessions. Dal is not only highly experienced and knowledgeable, but also approachable and engaging. Dal creates a welcoming, non-judgemental environment that encourages participation and open discussion, making it easy for everyone to contribute and learn. The course was informative, practical, and well delivered. I highly recommend both the MHFA Community Course and Dal as a trainer. Thank you, Dal!"Clare Anderson
Verified Google review
"Dal was our Educator for the Mental Health First Aid Community Course held over 2 days. She is highly knowledgeable and extremely experienced. She engaged our class in a very friendly, helpful way and provided us with many take away learning tools, resources and hints. She helped to guide our class and I thoroughly enjoyed attending and learning from her. I would highly recommend her course to anyone who is interested. Kind regards, Patricia R Cotter RN"Ihaka Cotter
Verified Google review
"I was fortunate to completed my MHFA training with Dal Sahota through Pets In The Park where I volunteer, and cant recommend it highly enough. Dal Sahota is an exceptional trainer. The Mental Heath First Aid course was well-structured, interactive, and judgment free. The group discussions and scenarios were especially helpful to cement what we were learning. Dal balances expertise with empathy and gives you tools you can use right away. I came away feeling informed and empowered. Highly recommend to anyone wanting practical mental health skills for work, home and everyday. Thank you!"Vfr 007
Verified Google review
"Dal is an incredibly warm trainer who provided us a safe and comfortable space to participate in the training. Dal's level of communication was beyond helpful - together with Dal, our project was able to support more than 100 community members to complete the Mental Health First Aid Training!"Zakia Patel
Verified Google review
"She is an amazing trainer. Did the MHFA course and it was so informative. I feel more equipped to support the community and those in need within my circle."Grace Njihia
Verified Google review
"Dal's delivery of the MHFA course was exceptional. Her breadth of experience in mental health first aid and in delivering the course was evident and it was a pleasure to learn from her. She was clear, articulate and concise, keeping the content accessible and easy to understand. She left me with confidence to implement the strategies of a mental health first aider, if and when I might need them."Robyn Stickland
Verified Google review
"Dal is absolutely fantastic. The best Mental Health First Aid course I've completed. Dal was incredibly knowledgeable and delivered information in a clear and effective manner, bringing together five strangers in a zoom classroom to create a warm, welcoming and safe learning space."Amy Kitchen
Verified Google review
How the blended online format works in practice
Some participants wonder whether Zoom delivery can match a face-to-face course. These reviews describe exactly how the eLearning and live sessions fit together, and why the online format works so well for groups drawn from across Australia.
"I recently completed the Mental Health First Aid training with Dal and found it to be extremely engaging and informative. Dal was patient, supportive, and explained the material clearly, creating a safe and comfortable space to learn and ask questions. The combination of self-paced e-learning followed by the live online training worked really well. The e-learning built a strong foundation, and the online sessions helped bring everything together through discussion, real-life examples, and practical guidance. Nothing felt rushed, and the content was presented in a way that was easy to understand and apply. Overall, the training was well structured and thoughtfully delivered. It gave me the confidence, knowledge, and skills I needed, and fully prepared me to meet the requirements for accreditation. I would highly recommend this training to anyone looking to better support mental health in their workplace or community. Thank you again Dal"Qt D
Verified Google review
"I have just completed the Mental Health training with Dal this morning. I found the online component prior to the face-to-face sessions to be in-depth, covering topics such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and alcohol and drug use. This provided a strong foundation and prepared me well for the two days of face-to-face online training with Dal. Dal is very knowledgeable and took the time to answer all of my questions. I also enjoyed participating in breakout rooms, which gave me the opportunity to connect and discuss ideas with other participants. I highly recommend Dal and the Mental Health training program."Tanya Gill
Verified Google review
"Dal is an excellent presenter. Our MHFA training was online, which she delivered in an interesting and interactive way. Her experience in the field was apparent, and she was terrific at encouraging us to ask the difficult questions. I would be happy to have her as a presenter in the future and definitely happy to recommend Dal to everyone interested in this field."Daniel Budzisz
Verified Google review
Course fees, stated plainly
Community Mental Health First Aid Course Online
Payment is made upfront by card when you book. The Learner Access Pass is required by MHFA Australia for every participant and covers your access to the official course learning materials. The same fee applies in every state and territory.
Reserve Your PlaceReserve your place, complete the eLearning, then attend the Zoom sessions. Confirmed at 6+ participants, or your booking rolls to the next fortnight.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the course does not reach minimum numbers?
Live Zoom sessions are confirmed once 6 or more participants have booked. If the minimum is not reached, your booking automatically rolls to the next fortnightly rotation. Any eLearning you have completed carries over, so no progress is lost.
How long does the eLearning take, and when do I need to finish it?
The self-paced eLearning takes most participants 5 to 8 hours. You can complete it in one sitting or spread it across several days, but it must be finished before your first Zoom session so the live discussion can build on the theory.
What is the Learner Access Pass?
The Learner Access Pass is a $20 + GST fee required by MHFA Australia for every course participant. It covers your access to the official course learning materials.
Do I become accredited after the course?
Yes. After completing the eLearning and both live Zoom sessions, you are eligible to complete the MHFA Australia online assessment. On successful completion you become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider), with accreditation valid for 3 years. A refresher course before your accreditation expires extends it for a further 3 years.
What days do the Zoom sessions run?
Zoom sessions run across 2 consecutive days, from 9:00am to 11:30am NSW/VIC time each day. You can choose a weekday pair (Monday and Tuesday) or a weekend pair (Saturday and Sunday), on the fortnightly rotation. The booking form shows the upcoming dates.
Can I join from anywhere in Australia?
Yes. The course welcomes participants from NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, SA, WA, NT and the ACT. Sessions are anchored to 9:00am to 11:30am NSW/VIC time; the session times table above shows your local equivalent, and your confirmation email will state your exact local start time for the dates you book. WA participants should note the early start of 7:00am Perth time; during the eastern states' daylight saving months the start moves one hour earlier, and your confirmation email will state the exact time.
What do I need to attend the Zoom sessions?
A computer or tablet with a camera, microphone and a stable internet connection. The sessions are interactive, with discussion and small group work in breakout rooms, so being able to speak and be seen helps you get the most from the live component.
Who delivers the training?
Every session is delivered live by Dal Sahota, an MHFA Australia Licensed Instructor, Clinical Hypno-Psychotherapist and Principal Master Mental Health Educator. You learn directly from a practising clinician, not a presenter working from a script.
Ready to become a Mental Health First Aider for your community?
Reserve your place in the next fortnightly rotation. Complete the eLearning in your own time, then join Dal live on Zoom for two mornings of practical, clinically informed training, on Monday and Tuesday or Saturday and Sunday, alongside participants from every corner of Australia.
$410 + GST per person, plus $20 + GST Learner Access Pass. Zoom sessions 9:00am to 11:30am NSW/VIC time across 2 days.
Reserve Your PlaceConfirmed at 6+ participants, or your booking rolls to the next fortnight.