Why Now Is the Right Time to Get Your Mental Health First Aid Training
Approximately 20% of Australian adults experience a common mental illness each year. That means in almost any workplace, school, community group or family, someone nearby is likely experiencing a mental health challenge right now. The question is not whether you will ever encounter someone who needs support — it is whether you will have the skills and confidence to respond well when that moment arrives.
Mental Health First Aid training gives you exactly those skills. And if you have been considering completing the course, Cairnmillar Institute is
running a two-day Mental Health First Aid training session on 18 and 19 August 2026 at the Hawthorn East campus in Melbourne.
This blog explains what the course covers, who it is for, what you will be able to do after completing it, and how to secure a place at Cairnmillar’s August session.
Key Takeaways
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a practical, evidence-based training course that teaches adults how to recognise and respond to mental health challenges
- The August 2026 MHFA session at Cairnmillar runs across 18 and 19 August, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day, at the Hawthorn East campus
- The course is delivered by Dr Renzo Vittorino, with over 30 years of leadership and clinical experience
- Participants can also complete the short assessment at the end of a course to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider). Accreditation is valid for 3 years and can be renewed with the Refresher course, also available at Cairnmillar.
- All sessions are led by an MHFA trained and Licensed Instructor.
- Ticket prices range from $125 to $335 with concession and alumni pricing available- depending on eligibility
What Is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognised training program that teaches people how to provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. Just as physical first aid teaches you how to respond before professional help arrives, Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to support someone experiencing a mental health challenge until professional help is available.
The course does not train participants to act as mental health clinicians. It provides a practical, evidence-based action plan for initiating supportive conversations, recognising early warning signs, understanding what kinds of professional help are available, and responding appropriately in a range of crisis situations.
Mental health first aid skills learnt in this course can be applied in any setting — in the workplace, in your community, or in your personal life.
What Will You Learn at Cairnmillar’s August Session?
The Cairnmillar MHFA course is an informative and practical two-day program. The course content includes case studies, videos and resources tailored to the learning needs of community and public course participants.
Across the two days, you will learn about the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health problems in adults, how to provide initial help, where and how to access professional help, what kinds of help have been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide mental health first aid in a crisis situation using a practical, evidence-based action plan.
The course covers how to apply mental health first aid across a range of situations in adults including depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use problems, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, panic attacks, non-suicidal self-injury and traumatic events.
By the end of the course, you will be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in adults, use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation, understand the barriers to help-seeking and how to overcome them, assess for a range of crisis situations and provide initial support, understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses and the treatments and supports available, and apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider.
Who Is This Course For?
The MHFA course at Cairnmillar is suitable for any adult who wants to build mental health awareness and develop the skills to support others. You do not need a background in health, psychology or mental health to attend.
The course is particularly relevant for managers, team leaders and HR professionals who want to create more supportive workplace cultures, teachers and school staff, carers and community volunteers, and individuals who want to be better equipped to support friends or family members who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
Mental health first aid skills are applicable in any setting — professional or personal. If you work with people, care for people or simply want to be the kind of person who knows how to respond when someone needs support, this course is designed for that.
About the Trainer — Dr Renzo Vittorino
The August 2026 MHFA session at Cairnmillar will be delivered by Dr Renzo Vittorino. Dr Vittorino is the Course Director of the Graduate Internship Program at Cairnmillar Institute and brings over 30 years of leadership and clinical experience to his training work.
Dr Vittorino has extensive experience working with individuals and families, community settings and organisational development. He has significant experience in the development and delivery of programs and training in trauma-informed practice, including a Trauma-Informed Leadership Program delivered to managers of Area Mental Health Services in Victoria in partnership with the Centre for Mental Health Learning and the Department of Health.
Event Details — August 2026 MHFA at Cairnmillar
Event: Mental Health First Aid – August 2026
Date: Tuesday 18 August and Wednesday 19 August 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day
Location: The Cairnmillar Institute, 391–393 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East, Victoria 3123
Organiser: Professional Development Team — [email protected] | 03 9813 3400
Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Price | Who Is Eligible |
| Standard Enrolment | $335.00 | General public |
| Concession | $305.50 | Health care card holders, pensioners, people receiving benefits — photo evidence required |
| External Student or Cairnmillar Alumni | $240.00 | Full-time students at another education provider or Cairnmillar alumni — student card required |
| Cairnmillar Student | $125.00 | Current Cairnmillar students |
What Happens After You Complete the Course?
Upon completing the two-day MHFA course, participants are given a link to complete the Accreditation Assessment through Mental Health First Aid Australia. If you pass the assessment, you will receive an Accredited Mental Health First Aider status that is valid for three years.
Accreditation recognises that you have completed the course and demonstrated understanding of mental health first aid principles and practice. It is a credential that is increasingly recognised and valued by Australian employers — particularly in education, health, community services and corporate settings.
After three years, accreditation can be renewed by completing a refresher course. Cairnmillar also offers the MHFA Refresher course for current Accredited MHFAiders — which runs for 4 hours face-to-face or 5 hours online.
Why Is It a Good Time to Complete Your MHFA Training
Mental health awareness in Australian workplaces and communities has grown significantly in recent years. Employers across all sectors are increasingly investing in mental health training for their teams — recognising that staff who can recognise and respond to mental health challenges create safer, more supportive and more productive environments.
Completing your MHFA training in August gives you accreditation that is valid through to August 2029 — covering three years of professional development, workplace capability building and personal readiness to support others.
For those working in education, the August timing also aligns well with the second half of the school year — a period when mental health awareness among students, staff and families tends to increase.
Cairnmillar Institute has been delivering mental health education in Melbourne for over 60 years. As a not-for-profit organisation, Cairnmillar reinvests its revenue into education, training and community mental health initiatives
Conclusion
Mental Health First Aid training is one of the most practical steps any person can take to build their ability to support others. The August 2026 session at Cairnmillar Institute in Hawthorn East, Melbourne, gives you the opportunity to complete this internationally recognised course in a supported, professional learning environment, delivered by a trainer with over 30 years of clinical experience.
Whether you are an HR professional, a team leader, a teacher, a carer or simply someone who wants to be better equipped to help the people around you — the MHFA course at Cairnmillar on 18 and 19 August 2026 is a practical and meaningful investment in that capability.
Places are limited. To register, visit cairnmillar.org.au/event/mhfa-august-2026/ or contact the Professional Development team at [email protected] or on 03 9813 3400.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Mental Health First Aid course at Cairnmillar in August 2026?
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) August 2026 session at Cairnmillar Institute is a two-day, face-to-face training program running on 18 and 19 August 2026 at the Hawthorn East campus. The course teaches adults how to recognise and respond to mental health challenges and crisis situations using a practical, evidence-based action plan. Upon completing a short accreditation assessment, participants become Accredited Mental Health First Aiders for three years.
Q: Who is the trainer for the August MHFA session at Cairnmillar?
The August 2026 MHFA session is delivered by Dr Renzo Vittorino, Course Director of the Graduate Internship Program at Cairnmillar Institute. Dr Vittorino has over 30 years of leadership and clinical experience, including extensive work in trauma-informed practice training with mental health organisations and government departments in Victoria.
Q: What mental health situations does the MHFA course cover?
The course covers how to apply mental health first aid across a range of situations including depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use problems, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, panic attacks, non-suicidal self-injury and traumatic events. Participants learn to recognise signs and symptoms, use an evidence-based action plan to initiate supportive conversations, understand help-seeking barriers and provide initial crisis support.
Q: How much does the August 2026 MHFA course cost at Cairnmillar?
Ticket prices vary by enrolment type. Standard Enrolment is $335.00. Concession pricing is $305.50 for health care card holders, pensioners and people receiving benefits, with photo evidence required. External students or Cairnmillar alumni can access tickets at $240.00 with a valid student card.
Q: Do I need a mental health background to attend the MHFA course?
No prior mental health knowledge or professional background is required. The course is suitable for any adult who wants to build mental health awareness and develop the skills to support others — including managers, HR professionals, teachers, carers and community members.
Q: What happens after I complete the MHFA course?
Upon completing the course, participants receive a link to complete the Accreditation Assessment through Mental Health First Aid Australia. If you pass, you receive Accredited Mental Health First Aider status valid for three years. Accreditation can be renewed after three years through a refresher course. Cairnmillar also offers the MHFA Refresher course for current Accredited MHFAiders.
Q: How do I book a place in the August 2026 MHFA course at Cairnmillar?
Visit the event page at cairnmillar.org.au/event/mhfa-august-2026/ to purchase tickets directly. Alternatively, contact the Cairnmillar Professional Development team at [email protected] or call 03 9813 3400. Places are limited to 20 per ticket type so early booking is recommended.
Q: Is this course subject to a minimum number of participants?
Yes. This workshop is subject to receiving a minimum number of enrolments. In the event that the minimum is not reached, participants may choose to reschedule to an alternative date or receive a refund. Full details are available in Cairnmillar’s Terms and Conditions at cairnmillar.org.au/terms-and-conditions/.