Meet Spence
Director of Foundations Support Services, Spence is an accredited Mental Health First Aid instructor, specialising in workplaces, youth and those supporting children in our communities.
Mental Health First Aid courses equip participants with the practical skills and confidence to recognise, respond to, and support mental health challenges — because knowing how to act early can make a meaningful and lasting difference.
Courses are available online nationally, and online in NSW Sydney's CBD and Northern Beaches areas.
Mental Health First Aid Australia
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised health promotion charity aimed at providing evidence-based, informed programs to participants both within Australia and throughout the world. Recognised in over 27 countries, MHFA aims to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma and help participants develop the skills to encourage people to seek professional help.
For more than 25 years Mental Health First Aid Australia’s evidence-based training courses have equipped people with the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to someone experiencing mental health problems.
Standard MHFA
The Standard MHFA course is an evidence-based training program that equips participants with the skills to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems within the community, and respond appropriately until professional help is available or the crisis resolves. Often described as the mental health equivalent of physical first aid, the course builds practical knowledge, confidence, and a structured action plan to support someone experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, trauma, or suicidal thoughts.
Completion of an MHFA course leads to formal accreditation, signifying that participants are trained in a globally respected, research-backed framework. Beyond the qualification itself, MHFA has been shown to increase knowledge, reduce stigma, improve confidence in offering support, and encourage earlier help-seeking. The result is safer, more informed environments where people feel better equipped to respond with clarity, empathy, and care when it matters most.
Supporting Child Mental Health First Aid
Developed in 2023 in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Mental Health First Aid Australia introduced a specialised course designed for adults supporting children under 12 — both professionally and personally. The program equips parents, educators, and practitioners with developmentally appropriate tools to recognise, understand, and respond to emerging mental health concerns in children.
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As a long-standing Advisory Board member involved in the course’s development, Spence is among a small number of accredited instructors in Australia currently licensed to deliver this specialised training. If you are part of a child’s inner or extended support network, this is an opportunity to be among the first in Australia to gain accreditation in tailored Mental Health First Aid for children and those who care for them.
Course types
There are three ways our MHFA courses can be delivered.
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Online Delivery
Self-paced E-learning (5-7 hours) is completed by the participant. This is followed by 2x 2.5h sessions online via Google Meet. These sessions will provide participants with the opportunity to consolidate their learning and achieve accreditation. Primarily recommended for those that are extremely time poor and that already have a satisfactory level or mental health literacy.
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Face-to-face
Over 2 days (6h per day), the entire course is delivered in a safe, tailored and dedicated workroom. Throughout the experience, participants can ask questions, actively participate and get the most out of their learning. This type of delivery is most recommended and is available to any type of individual hoping to better their mental health literacy.
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Blended Online
Self-paced E-learning (5-7 hours) is completed by the participant. This is followed by a 4-hour face-to-face session, aimed at consolidating learning, providing the ability to ask questions and deliver some content best delivered in a personal, safe environment. Perfect for busy individuals, parents and students.
