Mental Health First Aid
Provides you with the skills and knowledge to offer immediate first aid to a person experiencing a mental health crisis.
Mental Health First Aid gives you the skills and knowledge to offer immediate support to a person experiencing a mental health crisis. It is valuable for managers, human resources teams, teachers, frontline staff and anyone who wants to support colleagues, whanau or friends.
The course covers how to recognise the signs of common mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression and acute distress, how to start a supportive conversation, de-escalation techniques and how to connect someone with professional help and community resources.
Training is delivered in class over 4 to 5 hours in a safe, supportive environment, using discussion, realistic scenarios and practical frameworks you can apply straight away.
There is no formal exam. Participation and practical activities are reviewed during the session, and you receive a certificate of completion that is valid for two years, with refresher training recommended to keep your skills current.
Upcoming public classes
What You'll Learn in this Course
This course gives you practical frameworks for supporting someone through a mental health crisis:
- Recognising signs of anxiety, depression & acute distress
- Starting a supportive conversation
- Active listening skills
- De-escalation techniques
- Responding to a mental health crisis
- Connecting someone with professional help
- Community resources & referral pathways
- Looking after your own wellbeing as a supporter
NZQA Credits
This course meets the requirements of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) skill standard 40722 – Provide Mental Health First Aid.
One of the first NZQA-aligned programmes of its kind in New Zealand, it supports the growing need for practical, compassionate responses to mental wellbeing.
Course requirements
Students are required to:
- be able to read and understand English – there are discussion-based and practical activities in this course.
- be 16 years or older.
If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact us before your course.
Why train with MediTrain?
NZQA approved provider
Nationally recognised training and assessment aligned to NZQA unit standards.
Over 30 years of experience
More than three decades of first aid training across New Zealand workplaces.
Blended learning that sticks
Online theory at your own pace backed by hands-on classroom practice.
Instructors from real medical backgrounds
Learn from trainers with genuine emergency and clinical experience.
Ready to get certified?
Start your course today and gain the confidence to respond when it matters most.
