Mental Health First Aid for Legal Professionals
Date: 12 - 13 June 2024
Time: 1.30pm - 4.00pm AEST
Would you know how to assist a co-worker who was experiencing a mental health problem?
In Australia, 1 in 5 people will experience mental illness in any given year. Lawyers suffer from higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance use problems and stress than the general population.
In this Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course, you will learn techniques for:
- recognising the signs and symptoms of a mental health problem or crisis,
- approaching a colleague or friend to have a conversation about their mental health; and
- informing them about the support and resources available to assist.
The key to better mental health outcomes is early recognition of issues and a safe and supportive workplace. MHFA training is recommended for staff at all levels of seniority and across all departments. This course is tailored to legal workplaces and the workshop sessions are facilitated by experienced legal professionals.
Please note:
- The virtual live workshops for this course will be held via video conferencing on Wednesday 12 June 2024 and Thursday 13 June 2024 from 1.30pm to 4.00pm AEST each day.
- You must complete the six-hour online (eLearning) component before attending the first workshop.
- The instructor-led virtual sessions are live meetings conducted over the internet using video conferencing software. The instructor needs to see and hear you for you to participate. Therefore, you must have access to a camera and a microphone.
The eLearning component of this course is supported by legalsuper.
Course Outline
Delivered online, this course will teach you how to help a co-worker experiencing mental health challenges. It includes 6 hours of self-guided eLearning followed by two 2.5-hour virtual live workshop sessions.
You will be receiving:
- Access to the eLearning component
- A MHFA hardcopy manual after the virtual workshop
The eLearning component of the program will cover:
- Developing mental health problems: Depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use problems and eating disorders.
- Mental health crises: Suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury, panic attacks, traumatic events, severe psychotic states, severe effects from alcohol or other drug use and aggressive behaviours.
Note: The e-learning component must be completed before attending the first virtual workshop.
From the two 2.5-hour live, virtual workshop sessions, you will:
- Learn how to recognise signs and symptoms of mental health problems and crises in your employees and co-workers
- Understand risk factors and appropriate evidence-based treatments and supports
- Learn how to respond and offer appropriate support to employees and co-workers using the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan ALGEE
The College encourages MHFA Training across seniority, departments and genders to ensure diversity of support. This course is for all lawyers and non-legal staff working within a legal environment.
Diana Mills
Adjunct Lecturer, College of Law
Diana Mills is a trained Mental Health First Aid Instructor, specially accredited to deliver a range of engaging and interactive mental health education programs. She has a personal passion for mental health, having supported many friends, family and work associates through tough periods in their life. As a small business owner and qualified lawyer, Diana has a unique understanding of the stresses involved with working in high pressure workplaces.
Diana teaches specialist mental health and wellbeing courses for early career lawyers at the College of Law. Diana became an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor after seeing first-hand the positive impact it can have on individuals and workplaces. Her empathetic and evidence-based approach makes her an ideal presenter for community groups, small to medium enterprise and corporate workplaces.
If you are interested in providing training for your firm, contact us to coordinate everything from enrolment to completion. The course can be delivered on site in your offices or at our campuses in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.
For more information, please contact Kerry Nguyen, Business Development Manager, The College of Law.
D: +61 03 8689 8631
E: b2b@collaw.edu.au
All times listed for this course are Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEST). Please take note of any time differences if you are registering from QLD, WA, SA, NT or from outside Australia.
Practitioners holding WA practising certificates are eligible to earn CPD points for this course. For instructions to earn CPD points, please click here.
If you intend to claim CPD units for this educational activity, please note that CPD activities are not accredited by the Law Society of NSW or any other equivalent local authority, with the exception of Western Australia. If you hold a practising certificate in a state or territory other than Western Australia and this educational activity extends your knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to your practice needs or professional development, then you should claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. The annual requirement is ten (10) CPD units each year from 1 April to 31 March. Some practitioners, such as accredited specialists are required to complete more than ten (10) units each CPD year.
If you hold a Western Australian practising certificate, please refer to the ‘WA Practitioners’ section above as to whether you are eligible to earn CPD points for this activity.
Practice management and business skills
Please be aware that video/audio recording may occur at professional development events organised by the College of Law for use on our website, marketing materials and publications. By attending and participating in a College of Law Continuing Professional Development course, you consent to the College of Law photographing or recording and using your image and likeness.