Celebrating 100 Mental Health First Aid Courses!

My first MHFA class was challenging. I was green, nervous & two of the participants were less than ideal students. They talked incessantly, overshared (sometime inappropriately) & questioned almost everything. They were not intentionally testing my fledgling skills, they were just being themselves. Surprisingly I look back on that class with enormous fondness. It was pretty challenging at the time but I like a bit of pressure, it helps me improve. That’s how diamonds are created right?

As you might have gathered I stuck with it. In fact I’ve just hit a milestone. I’ve just taught my 100th MHFA course. I’m taking a moment to pause & reflect. I have so much gratitude, but before I get to that let’s rewind a little to what got me here. Almost 4 years ago my boss approached me about becoming a MHFA instructor. I leapt at the opportunity. Initially closed borders & suspended MHFA instructor training derailed plans. Things got back on track in Jan 2022 when with 9 other eager participants I qualified as a MHFA instructor (shout out to our teacher Geoff). Since then it’s been full steam ahead. Teaching MHFA has sent my life down a new track. It’s made me happier, healthier & more fulfilled. It’s made me want to help more people &, help people more.

So I’ve said yes to every upskill. Yes to every webinar. Yes to every opportunity. It also inspired me to go further. The same week I taught my 100th course I completed a Grad Cert in Counselling.

Here are some free ranging reflections from my time teaching;

• There is still a lot of stigma. But the desire to change that is growing & attitudes are shifting.
• Many young people have an impressive level of awareness & knowledge. However they still face internal & external stigma & other barriers to getting help.
• It might be a reflection of MHFA participants or my worldview, but I think people are keen to be good humans. Someone wiser than me said people would prefer to be Yoda than Darth Vader. Sometimes they need a little help with how.
• Chocolate cake with buttercream icing can make a great course even better.
• Misunderstandings about mental health conditions & how to help are common.
• It’s possible to have a lot of fun talking about serious issues.
• Online teaching tools are better, but they can still be better. I’m looking forward to when the tech advances further to allow more natural, free flowing conversation. Online offers wonderful accessibility, but teaching face to face is still better.
• A conversation truly has the power to change lives.

I feel so privileged to be an MHFA instructor. Genuinely. I feel deep joy & wonder at the journey I’ve had. I love having conversations about mental health, even the hard ones. I love seeing those ah-ha moments. I love helping people grow & sometimes changing lives.

A village has helped me on this journey. Colleagues, students, the MHFA community, my friends & fam. Thank you all. You made it possible & you made it fun. Bring on the next 100 courses!

If you are keen to undertake or roll out Mental Health Training get in touch, we’d love to help you.

Cortney Smyth

Mental Health First Aid Principle Master Instructor.