National train-the-trainer information

'Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing'

An introduction to mental health, mental health promotion, prevention of mental ill-health and early intervention

Auseinet has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to develop and implement an introductory level training module on mental health promotion, prevention of mental ill-health and early intervention which will introduce the concepts and principles and discuss their relevance and applicability to a range of sectors and settings.

The module has been developed as a 4 or 6 hour training package and will be disseminated nationally via accredited trainers.

Auseinet is now calling for applications from across Australia for the first fully funded national train-the-trainer workshop to be held from 28th-30th May, 2008 in Adelaide.

More information:

Background and aims
Training strategy
National train-the-trainer workshop
Application guidelines for the national train-the-trainer workshop
Key dates
Contact details

Background and aims

Auseinet has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to develop and implement an introductory level training module on mental health promotion, prevention of mental ill-health and early intervention which will introduce the concepts and principles and discuss their relevance and applicability to a range of sectors and settings.

The purpose of the training module is to enhance the capacity of diverse sectors to increase awareness and understanding of the principles of promoting mental health, preventing illness, and early intervention, and the relevance of these approaches within an everyday work context.

The aims are to facilitate a shared understanding of the concepts and to emphasise that a range of sectors, many of which lie outside of health, play a significant role in enhancing mental health and preventing mental illness.

The content has been developed for people working in government and non government organisations, and clinical, non-clinical, health, non-health, rural and urban settings. The scope of content is relevant for managers, team leaders, clinicians, service providers, project officers and policy makers who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of the relevance of promotion and prevention approaches for mental health.

The format of the module is a 4 or 6 hour training package with content covering:

  • concepts of positive mental health
  • definitions of mental health and social and emotional wellbeing
  • conceptual frameworks underpinning mental health promotion, prevention of ill-health and early intervention including the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the Spectrum of Interventions
  • examples of evidence based interventions
  • applications to clinical and community settings across diverse sectors
  • benefits of a promotion and prevention approach
  • status of the evidence

Both the 4 and 6 hour module have been piloted and the feedback has been extremely positive. The module is applicable to a diverse range of sectors and settings.

A National Project Advisory Group which comprises representation from government, non government, training and university networks, as well as rural and remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been established by Auseinet to support the development of this project. Specific organisations and initiatives represented include:

  • VicHealth
  • Hunter Institute of Mental Health
  • Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (NSW)
  • Relationships Australia (SA)
  • NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program
  • TAFE (SA)
  • Mentally Healthy WA
  • Flinders University SA
  • beyondblue
  • Health Promotion SA, Department of Health

Training strategy

A train-the-trainer model is being adopted to roll out the training strategy nationally. Essentially the model is to train trainers to deliver the module within their organisations or sectors. Auseinet will fund the first train-the-trainer workshop (up to 25 trainers) and will provide a comprehensive facilitator manual.

The expectation is that each of the accredited trainers will be in a position within their respective organisations to conduct a minimum of three training sessions per year. It will be the trainer's (or their organisation's) responsibility to advertise, recruit and conduct the training with no additional funding from Auseinet.  Auseinet will provide participant booklets and evaluation forms for each of the training sessions and support for the trainers. Auseinet will also maintain a database of all training sessions, participants and evaluations. However it will be the responsibility of the trainers and their organisations to provide the venue, equipment and catering (if required).  It is expected that the training will be provided at no cost to participants, but if necessary a small cost recovery fee for venue and catering may be applied.  It is not expected that the trainers will be paid since the delivery of training will fit within their day to day duties.  The training strategy is designed to build capacity within existing government and non-government training organisations and agencies to deliver training in this topic.

National train-the-trainer workshop

The first national train-the-trainer workshop will be held from May 28th to 30th, 2008 at the Stamford Grand Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia.  Auseinet will fully fund successful applicants to participate in this program including travel, accommodation and receipt of a comprehensive facilitator's manual.

The train-the-trainer program will cover the following areas:

  • overview of mental health, mental health promotion, prevention of ill-health and early intervention
  • aims and objectives of the training module
  • overview of the training strategy and the role of Auseinet
  • delivery of the 4 and 6 hour module
  • use of interactive exercises, examples and scenarios for different sectors and settings
  • evaluation process
  • implementation of the module post workshop
  • expectations and accreditation of trainers

There will be a performance based assessment component in the train-the-trainer program and participants will be required to achieve a satisfactory standard before progressing to delivery of the modules in the field.

Accreditation will be based on satisfactory performance in the train-the-trainer workshop and good evaluation of training sessions undertaken in the field.

Application guidelines for the national train-the-trainer workshop

Auseinet is currently recruiting for applications from suitably experienced individuals to participate in the national train-the-trainer workshop to be held on 28-30 May, 2008, in Adelaide, SA.

Individuals who are recruited to the workshop and successfully complete the training and all associated assessment criteria, will be accredited by Auseinet to deliver the introductory training module to relevant groups and networks. Ongoing support will be provided by Auseinet to all accredited trainers.

As this is a funded project of the Australian Government, it is expected that in the first instance the training will be free to all participants. Given this, private practitioners or consultants who would charge to deliver the module are ineligible to apply.

Participant Application Guidelines: download here
(Closing date for submission: Monday 7 April, 2008)

Key Dates

Closing date for applications for the national train-the-trainer workshop Mon 7 April, 2008
Successful applicants notified Mon 21 April – Thurs 24 April, 2008
National train-the-trainer workshop, Stamford Grand Hotel, Adelaide Wed 28 May - Fri 30 May, 2008

Contact Details

For more information about the project, the recruitment process, or guidelines for the national train-the-trainer workshop, contact the Auseinet office:

Tel: 08 8201 7670
Email: gwyn.elson@flinders.edu.au