Role of mental health first aid ambassadors

The aim of developing a pool of MHFA ambassadors is to have a group of personnel trained to respond to the needs of staff and students who require support and assistance in mental health issues.  A further aim is to promote a culture of early identification, subsequent referral and help seeking behaviour for mental health concerns.

 Purpose of a MHFA ambassadors

The purpose of a MHFA ambassador is to act as a representative to:

  • enhance the mental health literacy in faculties and divisions on campus
  • ascertain where the profile of mental health issues can be discussed at respective faculty / division meetings
  • offer mental health (ALGEE) interventions to staff / students within faculties / divisions
  • assist in mental health week activities and other relevant Campus Community campaigns 
  • target student groups who would benefit from mental health literacy sessions
  • encourage other staff and students to get involved in mental health activities and promote mental health first aid workshops, a key aim being to increase the number of those trained, especially academics

All information collected by MHFAOs will be dealt with in a respectful and confidential manner

Pre requisites and responsibilities of a MHFA ambassador

Staff who act as Monash MHFA ambassador must:

  • have a keen interest in mental health issues
  • be prepared to partake in mental health initiatives at Monash
  • attend quarterly meetings with other MHFAOs and MHFA trainers
  • be appointed to the role of their own free will
  • feel free to relinquish the role of being a MHFAO if they so wish
  • be able to relate empathically to staff and students
  • be committed to undertake associated training and information sessions
  • be informed and disseminate regular updates and revisions on mental health and safer community initiatives to staff and students
  • maintain a mental health resource kit that consists of appropriate referral pathways that are of benefit to staff and students
  • be able to be called away from their work when required to attend to crisis situations
  • record all incidents related to a mental health intervention (ALGEE) (however minor) and submit this to the MHFA coordinator at the end of each calendar year

If you are interested in becoming a Mental Health First Aid Officer please contact Andrew Marks on andrew.marks@monash.edu