Group programs and workshops

Why Choose Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health challenges are common—around one in five Australians experience a mental health problem each year. That means most of us will know someone—whether a friend, family member, classmate, or colleague—who is struggling.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training gives you the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise when someone might be experiencing a mental health problem, to offer initial support, and to encourage them to seek professional help.

JCU Wellbeing offers a range of evidence-based, accredited MHFA courses for staff and students. Each course is designed to help you feel more capable and confident supporting others, whether in your workplace, studies, or community.

Standard Mental Health First Aid Course (Staff and student courses available)

This two-day course teaches participants how to recognise the early signs of mental health problems in adults, how to start supportive conversations, and how to provide initial help in both everyday and crisis situations.

Topics include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trauma, psychosis, substance use, and suicide. Participants also learn what effective professional and self-help options are available and how to connect someone to the right kind of care.

After completing the course and a short quiz, participants gain three years of accreditation as a Mental Health First Aider.

To find out more about this course, go to Standard Mental Health First Aid - Mental Health First Aid Australia (mhfa.com.au)

Next Course Dates:

• 22 & 23 June 8.30am - 4.00pm, JCU Cairns, Nguma-bada campus, Smithfield - The Library
• 23 & 24 November 9am - 5pm, JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas

Staff can register to attend here and students can register via emailing the Administrative Services team at edadmin@jcu.edu.au

Standard Mental Health First Aid Refresher Course (staff and student courses available)

This half-day refresher course helps current Mental Health First Aiders update their knowledge, learn about the latest research, and strengthen their confidence in applying MHFA skills. Participants practise responding to a range of mental health problems and crises through realistic examples and discussions.

Completing the course and a short assessment extends your accreditation for another three years.

Please Note: Participants must have completed the 2 day Standard MHFA course within the past 3 years to be eligible for this course. To check your accreditation expiration date, please contact mhfa@mhfa.com.au.

To find out more about this course, go to Refresher Courses - Mental Health First Aid Australia (mhfa.com.au)

Next Course Dates:

• 24 September  9am - 2pm,  JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas

Staff can register to attend here and students can register via emailing the Education Division Administration team at edadmin@jcu.edu.au

Tertiary Mental Health First Aid Course (students only)

Designed specifically for university students, this course builds the skills to support a fellow student or adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, until professional help is available or the situation improves.

You’ll learn to recognise the signs and symptoms of common problems such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis, and substance use, and to use a simple, evidence-based action plan to start a conversation and provide support.

After completing the course and a short quiz, participants receive three years of accreditation as a Mental Health First Aider.

To find out more about this course, go to Standard Mental Health First Aid for Tertiary Students  - Mental Health First Aid Australia (mhfa.com.au)

Next Course Dates:

• 23 September 9am - 2pm,  JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas

Students can register via emailing the Education Division administration team at edadmin@jcu.edu.au

Conversations about Suicide (staff and student courses available)

This focused course helps participants understand how to recognise warning signs of suicide and how to provide initial support to someone experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviour. You’ll learn how to listen and respond safely, encourage help-seeking, and support someone until professional help is available.

The course includes interactive practice and case studies to consolidate your learning and build confidence.

Please consider your wellbeing while booking this course, and let us know in advance if you have any concerns. To find out more about this course, go to Conversations About Suicide  - Mental Health First Aid Australia (mhfa.com.au)

Next Course Dates:

• 2026 dates to be confirmed – please check this page again early 2026

Staff can register to attend here and students can register via emailing the Education Division Administration team at edadmin@jcu.edu.au

Confident, Calm and Connected (CCC): A group program to tackle social anxiety

This 6-week group program is for students who would like to feel more confident in social situations. The group focuses on developing and practicing evidence-based psychological strategies to overcome anxiety and nerves about social settings, whilst strengthening your confidence to reengage with the people and things that you care about most. Participants will also develop and practice social skill strategies such as how to meet new people and develop friendships. We encourage all interested JCU students to register, whether you are domestic, international, mature-aged, fresh out of high school, undergraduate or postgraduate. You just need to be currently enrolled and based in Australia.

How does the group run?

The group is intentionally small (no more than 12 people) and is friendly, relaxed and supportive. Each week has a different focus but builds upon the previous week. There is no fee for attending this group but it is important that participants commit to attending all six sessions.

For 2026, we aim to offer the group mid-year (day and time to be confirmed). The group will be offered as face to face in Townsville, however if you are interested in this group but located elsewhere, please register your interest as future rounds may be offered in Cairns or online. Please contact us as soon as possible to book a registration appointment and meet a group facilitator.

For further information

Please contact JCU Wellbeing via phone (1800 246 446, option 3), email: studentwellbeing@jcu.edu.au, or in person (located at JCU Libraries in Townsville and Cairns).

JCU Wellbeing and AccessAbility Services are proud to offer this free group program for JCU students with an ADHD diagnosis. Participants will learn more about ADHD and how their minds work in a university environment. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own helpful strategies, resources, apps and lived-experience in a supportive group environment.

The group runs for 9 weeks, and participants will meet weekly on campus for a 2-hour session, with each session focusing on an ADHD-related issue (e.g. regulating emotions, procrastination). There is no fee for attending, but participants will need to commit to attending all 9 sessions.

We encourage all interested JCU students to register, you just need to be currently enrolled and based in Australia.

For 2026, we plan to offer the group in Cairns (early 2026) and Townsville (later in the year). We may also run the group online should we have enough interest. Please come back and check this page in early 2026 for confirmed dates and details.