The Learning Centre is pleased to host Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, with deliveries on offer by an accredited MHFA facilitator in 2018.

This two day course teaches people how to offer initial support to adults who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Note: Unlike other Learning Centre courses, this course is recommended specifically for non-clinical staff. Clinicians and other health practitioners should refer to other Learning Centre courses for their training needs.

More information about this course is available on the MHFA Australia website - Standard MHFA

This course has two versions. If you are looking for the Youth version of this course please scroll down or search for QC28.

The Learning Centre has for many years been a key source for suicide risk assessment training across Queensland. The previous version of the course ‘Suicide Risk Assessment and Management’ was due for a minor review; however with recent increases in suicide rates, and changes in guidelines for clinical practice, there was scope for major redevelopment and to shape it into a more experiential and practical course.

The new QC2 EARS course consolidates the Learning Centre’s Suicide Risk Assessment in Emergency Department settings (SRAM-ED) course, with further enhancements supporting the implementation of the Zero Suicide in Healthcare within the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, as well as key aspects of the previous suicide risk assessment course.

The blended learning course comprises of two components - beginning with eLearning modules (part 1), followed by a full day face-to-face workshop (part 2).

QC2 EARS is aimed at both new clinicians commencing clinical practice and experienced practitioners seeking to update and consolidate their practice framework with contemporary understanding of supporting suicidal people.

More information about this course is available in the handout: QC2 Engage, Assess, Respond to, and Support Suicidal People - Course handout

"Supervision is a designated interaction between two or more practitioners, within a safe and supportive environment, which enables a process of reflective, critical analysis of care, to ensure quality consumer services." (Clinical Supervision Guidelines for Mental Health Services, 2009).

This two-day workshop will prepare you for your supervisor role. It is designed for staff from all disciplines including non-clinical areas such as the peer workforce. During this workshop you will explore ways to enhance your supervisor skills using a variety of strategies and tools. Several high-quality skills demonstration videos are shown that model the core elements of good supervision practice. As you deepen your understanding of these elements you will have opportunities to practise delivering supervision that is culturally sensitive.

To be able to progress and enrol in this training you must pass a pre-enrolment screen that requires you to:

• meet the minimum requirements to be a Supervisor as set out in the Clinical Supervision Guidelines for Mental Health Services 2009
• achieve a minimum of 90% correct for twenty multiple choice knowledge questions.

There are resources provided to help you answer the questions.

This screen ensures that everyone who attends our QC4 Supervisor training comes with a similar understanding of the key concepts, regardless of previous experience and/or training in supervision.

Note: this course is a pre-requisite for those wishing to complete QC12 Supervising Supervisors.

This one day workshop aims to promote evidence-based clinical risk assessment and management practices that improve consistency in the assessment and management of consumer risks. The workshop provides participants with skills to gather and identify risk factors relevant to an individual, and complete an analysis of risks weighed against mitigating factors. Designed for mental health practitioners of all levels of experience, professionals from other services may also find this workshop highly relevant when working with people experiencing mental health problems.

More information about this course is available in the handout: QC9 Critical Components of Risk Assessment and Management- Course handout

Violence Risk Assessment and Management Framework - Induction Video

This video introduces and describes the Queensland Health Violence risk assessment and management framework – mental health services (the Framework). The video presents information about the three-tiered approach to violence risk assessment and response within the Framework, the purpose and principles of the Framework, how the Framework will be implemented, and clinical roles and responsibilities.

The video runs for approximately 20 minutes.

A transcript of the video can be downloaded here.

This half day workshop builds clinicians skills in capacity assessment for the adult consumer. This includes consumers consent to mental health assessment, treatment options and general health care. The Mental Health Act and the Guardianship and Administration Act define capacity and discuss the relevant tribunals for consumer assessment and treatment. The workshop will explore substitute decision makers under the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship and Administration Act. Hands on skill development include reviewing case studies/vignettes to assess for capacity, how to document capacity, and discussion and review of court decisions in regard to capacity. The course is recommended for all clinicians working with consumers, and should be completed as a refresher every two years to ensure currency of practice.

More information about this course is available in the handout: QC13 Capacity Assessment - Course handout

(Refresher for QC9 Critical Components of Risk Assessment and Management)

This 3-hour refresher course provides clinicians with an opportunity to update their risk assessment and management skills. It is an ideal opportunity to apply practical skills using a case scenario and is delivered via an online classroom using a Zoom meeting platform, making it accessible for people across Queensland. Learners will connect via a computer/laptop or other device to join the workshop – no travel necessary!

In addition to refreshing the thorough identification of risk factors, the course reinforces the importance of using informed professional judgement to develop risk summaries that effectively communicate the weighing up of identified risk and protective factors. The course uses comparative language and prevention-oriented approaches to formulation. There is a key emphasis on the development of treatment plans guided by the individual needs of the consumer, with a recovery-oriented approach.

Note: This course is not a substitute for attending the full day QC9 Critical Components of Risk Assessment and Management. Participants are expected to have previously completed the QC9 workshop, or QC54 Foundations of Risk Assessment and Management eLearning, additionally have applied clinical practice knowledge.

This one day workshop is based on the strengths model of recovery and is aligned with Queensland Health recovery-focused strategic goals and standards. By identifying an individual’s strengths the treating team and client can together develop a holistic care plan that sets achievable recovery goals. The training utilises a blended approach, beginning with an eLearning component that introduces the strengths model, followed by a full day face-to-face workshop that includes interactive discussions and simulation activities. Prior completion of QC23 Forming the Therapeutic Alliance is highly desirable.

More information about this course is available in the handout: QC24 Working with Strengths in Recovery - Course handout

This training course focuses on the knowledge and skills required to deliver safe group-based therapeutic interventions. The blended learning course comprises of two components - beginning with an eLearning module (part 1), followed by a full day face-to-face workshop (part 2). The course explores the following key issues around group facilitation in therapeutic contexts: safe group facilitation principles, structure of group sessions, management of group dynamics and process issues, and the role of the facilitator. The workshop focuses on consolidating theory and process through activities and experiential exploration, with a particular focus on the management of group dynamics and facilitation challenges.

More information about this course is available in the handout: QC27 Group Facilitation in Therapeutic Contexts - Course handout

Distinctly different to our other training courses, the QC31 SSYP course is aimed to target youth workers - It bridges the gap between clinical training and more general crisis support training.

This one day course is designed to provide participants with the skills to identify young people at risk of suicide and gain practical skills to ask directly about suicide.

More information about this course is available in the handout: QC31 Supporting a Suicidal Young Person (SSYP) - Course handout

The Acute Management Plan (AMP) is a concise clinical document that provides relevant, succinct information to clinicians working in acute care teams, emergency departments, and other entry points into mental health services.

As a clinician working in mental health it is important to know about cognitive functioning and how it can impact on day to day functioning. Cognitive deficits can significantly impact a person's ability to perform day to day tasks which can affect longer term recovery in areas such as work and relationships. This training course is designed to provide mental health clinicians with an introduction to the cognitive difficulties that people with a mental illness may face and identify some strategies and therapies that can support the person. This course covers three core topics, Cognition, Assessment and Intervention. The eLearning course is self-paced and is targeted to nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists and medical staff working in mental health settings. The course is suitable for both experienced clinicians and those new to practice and takes approximately two (2) hours to complete.

Please note that this course makes reference to the Mental Health Act 2000. This course will be updated in due time to align with the Mental Health Act 2016.

Suicide Risk Assessment and Management in Emergency Department Settings (SRAM-ED) Foundational training is a blended learning course comprising of two eLearning modules and a face-to-face workshop. This course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of clinicians’ working in emergency department settings with patients who are at risk of suicide. The two eLearning modules are prerequisites to attending the face-to-face foundational workshop.

If you have not yet enrolled in the face-to-face workshop you will need to register your interest with your local trainer.

The Cultural Capability for Mental Health eLearning module aims to provide mental health clinicians with a better understanding of the cultural needs and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The program embeds a recovery-focused, trauma-informed approach; identifies needs across the continuum of care, from emergency departments to community; and introduces participants to methods for applying a cultural lens in clinical practice, with an emphasis on culturally capable mental health assessment. This module gives you the basis to work on your life-long cultural learning journey.

The QC54 Foundations of Risk Assessment and Management eLearning course supports clinician understanding of the principles of risk assessment and management planning in mental health, alcohol and other drug services. This eLearning course steps learners through foundations of risk assessment and management and includes topics such as defining and identifying risk across six domains; communication, collaboration, and documentation; risk prevention orientation and planning care for risk mitigation. Learning is supported by interactive multimedia stimulus materials. The resource hub provides extensive information and tip sheets, research reviews, and links to guidelines, policies and support service websites. All materials are designed to assist learners upskilling in prevention-oriented risk assessment and response, and in developing and documenting management plans in line with current and emerging Queensland Health mental health, alcohol and other drug practice and standards. This course is suitable as complementary learning for the face to face course Critical Components of Risk Assessment and Management (QC9), however, is not a compulsory component of that course.

The CBT for psychosis (CBTp) Awareness course is designed as an introduction to the application of CBT for psychosis. It will take approximately two and a half (2.5) hours to complete and provides a brief review of cognitive behaviour therapy, an outline of models of psychosis, case formulation for CBTp and key foundational skills in undertaking CBT for patients with psychosis. It is an introductory course and is aimed at clinicians with a foundational understanding of CBT as well as a working understanding and familiarity with consumers with psychosis. As such, it is suitable for case managers and clinicians who wish to increase their skills and knowledge in an evidence based approach to assist clients with some of the core difficulties especially around delusions and hallucinations.

The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning has been involved in the development of this video Real Lives, Real People, Real Journeys. It showcases consumers, carers and mental health staff sharing their personal stories to promote an understanding of recovery.

The handbook was developed in 2007, in consultation with consumers, service providers and carers through a partnership with the Mental Health Clinical Collaborative and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning.

The intention in compiling this resource was to provide an educational and personalised document for consumers and clinicians in adult inpatient mental health settings. It takes a recovery approach and contains a range of resource materials, good practice approaches, and worksheets that can be adapted to meet the individual needs of consumers.

This handbook was been designed for consumers to use independently or in collaboration with a health care professional to promote a shared understanding of the consumer's experience. The modular approach of the booklet is designed to allow the individual to move through the information at a pace suited to their own needs as well as provide a resource that extends beyond the inpatient facility.