Mental Health First Aid Training

As part of our ongoing work, SOS Yorkes is offering Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Courses tailored for local organizations and businesses. These courses are designed to equip participants with the skills and confidence to identify, understand, and respond to mental health concerns, both in the workplace and the wider community.

Why Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health challenges are prevalent across all communities, but regional areas like the Yorke Peninsula face particularly high risks:

•           Suicide rates in rural South Australia are 20–30% higher than in metro areas.

•           Men aged 35–54 in rural regions are up to three times more likely to die by suicide.

•           Indigenous populations in rural SA also face suicide rates up to three times higher than the national average.

•           Social isolation, limited services, and economic pressures compound the issue.

The MHFA course addresses these challenges by training participants to:

•           Recognise signs of common mental health issues in adults.

•           Provide initial support in a mental health crisis.

•           Encourage professional help-seeking.

•           Reduce stigma and promote open dialogue around mental wellbeing.

Those who complete the course become accredited MHFAiders, equipped with evidence-based strategies and practical tools to provide immediate, compassionate support.

About the Instructor

Stephanie Acraman, an accredited MHFA instructor, is a local resident with deep ties to the Yorke Peninsula. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience, having supported loved ones through mental health challenges and suicide. Stephanie is also a lecturer at the University of Adelaide and mentors young people in the performing arts. Her passion lies in reaching every part of our region to provide accessible, life-saving training.

Course Details

Duration : 12 hours

Delivery Options

 •   2x consecutive days (ie. 9am – 4.30pm, including breaks) OR

•   1x day on two consecutive weeks OR

•   4x 3-hour sessions across consecutive weeks 

Schedule: Flexible delivery to suit your organisation’s availability (during or after hours). 

Upcoming availability for course dates

•   December 2–7

•   December 9–12

•   January 31–February 15 (Mondays excluded)         

Subsidized Course Fee

Thanks to funding from Qantas and the Suicide Prevention Advocate to the Premiers office, SOS Yorkes is currently offering subsidized MHFA courses at $150 per person (standard cost: $300–$400pp). This limited-time offer is intended to make the training more accessible, especially for smaller groups or those who may face financial barriers.

Please note that subsidies are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If funding has been exhausted at the time of your enquiry, full-cost enrolment will still be available.

We would also encourage you to hold the MHFA course at your organization, to ensure participants feel at ease in a natural environment and know they have the support of the organization they are engaged with. This can also build communication between participants following the course, helping participants to gain confidence in using skills in the environment they have been learning in. In this nature, we would also recommend that groups remain small to ensure support and open communication throughout the course. A group of 6 - 10 participants is an ideal number.

It is a nice opportunity for your organization to provide morning and afternoon teas (and lunch, if required depending on location) to help participants relax and engage with each other during the breaks.

If you would like to discuss any of the details or would like help to plan the courses, we can offer support for this.

How to Book

To express interest or arrange a course tailored for your organisation, please contact:
Stephanie Acraman
mhfasouthaustralia@gmail.com
0481 951 961
www.mhfa.com.au