Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa
Becoming a trained Mental Health First Aider equips learners with the skills to effectively support someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
- Duration
- 2 days
- Topic
- Mental Health, Wellbeing and De-escalation
- Next session
- 8 Jun 2026 · 7 dates
At a glance
Course details
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Duration: 2 day
About 1 in 5 New Zealand adults experience challenges with mental health in any year. This means that at some stage, everyone will have close contact with someone experiencing mental health challenges, at home, in the workplace or the wider community.
This course provides learners with the skills to assist someone who is developing a mental health challenge or is in a mental health crisis.
The course covers the most common mental health challenges in New Zealand; depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, gambling harm and problematic substance use. The mental health crises covered include suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury, panic attacks, traumatic events, psychosis, acute effects from substance use and aggressive behaviour.*
The interactive course content is practical and evidence-based adapted to be specifically relevant within the cultural context of New Zealand including workplace scenarios and guidelines for providing MHFA when someone identifies as Maori or Pasifika.
*Trigger warning: The content of this course may be emotionally challenging for some learners.
Overview
Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa course overview
Curriculum
What you'll cover
This course is designed for:
- Anyone over 18 who wants practical confidence in how to respond when someone may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
- Workers, team leaders, supervisors, people managers, and workplace representatives who may be the first to notice someone is struggling.
- Organisations that want more people able to recognise early warning signs, respond appropriately, and encourage support-seeking.
- Community members or workplace support people who need a clear, practical framework for having safer, more supportive conversations.
Our approach
+IMPAC's Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa training approach
This course is delivered as a practical, facilitator-led learning experience rather than a theory-heavy seminar. The focus is on helping learners notice when something is not right, open conversations safely, and decide what support steps are appropriate in the moment.
Learners work through realistic workplace and community scenarios, supported by discussion and guided activities, to build confidence before needing to apply the approach in real life. The training introduces the ALGEE 5-step action plan in a clear, structured way, with a focus on recognising mental health challenges, responding calmly in crisis situations, and supporting early help-seeking while understanding the limits of the Mental Health First Aider role.
Format
Course format and duration
Upcoming sessions
Public courses – Book now
3 days, 8:30 pm – 4:00 am
Auckland – IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
1 Rockridge Avenue
Auckland
3 days, 8:30 pm – 4:00 am
Christchurch – Hornby Club
Hornby Club
17 Carmen Road
Christchurch
3 days, 8:30 pm – 4:00 am
Auckland – IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
1 Rockridge Avenue
Auckland
3 days, 8:30 pm – 4:00 am
Wellington – IMPAC Wellington Training Centre
IMPAC Wellington Training Centre
Level 11, Legal House, 101 Lambton Quay
Wellington
3 days, 7:30 pm – 3:00 am
Auckland – IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
1 Rockridge Avenue
Auckland
3 days, 7:30 pm – 3:00 am
Christchurch – IMPAC Christchurch Training Centre
IMPAC Christchurch Training Centre
9 Coleridge Street
Christchurch
3 days, 7:30 pm – 3:00 am
Auckland – IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
IMPAC Auckland Training Centre - Penrose
1 Rockridge Avenue
Auckland
Want to discuss running this course at your organisation?
What's next
Next steps
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