About The Course
'The Working Mind' (TWM) is a evidence‑based mental health training course designed to initiate a change in how employees and leaders think, feel, and act about mental health. Stronger Teams - Healthier Workplaces.
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This program empowers workplaces and employees to:
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Embed conversations about mental health into daily operations
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Facilitate safe and supportive environments through open dialogue and resilience-building strategies
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Apply the Mental Health Continuum Tool to notice changes in themselves and their colleagues.
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Originally developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (Opening Minds), The Working Mind is internationally recognised and has been delivered to thousands of employees and leaders across a wide range of industries. TWM is being introduced to Australia by Mental Health First Aid International, with local adaptation for Australian workplaces and settings.
Course Content
The Working Mind will equip employees and managers to:
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Recognise signs of good, declining, and poor mental health.
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Understand mental health as a continuum
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Understand and reduce stigma and barriers to care in the workplace
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Engage in mental health conversations with others
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Identify stressors and apply coping and self-care strategies
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Support team mental health with tools and resources (managers only).
Mental Health Stigma (module 1)
Examine concepts of mental health and discuss the impacts of stigma on individuals living with mental health or substance use problems.
Mental Health Continuum Tool (module 2)
Use the Mental Health Continuum Tool to notice changes in mental health and well-being of yourself and others. Discuss how to have conversations with others about mental health.
Stress And Resilience (module 3)
Explore the impacts of stress on mental health, and practice applying the Big 4 Coping Strategies – simple but proven tools to deal with stress effectively and remain resilient.
Supporting Your Team (module 4) [for managers only]
Practise skills to support team’s mental health and wellbeing. Review appropriate actions to take in each colour zone of the Mental Health Continuum and to address related to critical incidents and supporting employees.
How is TWM different from MHFA training?
BUILDING CULTURE: The Working Mind (TWM) builds a mentally healthy workplace culture by reducing stigma and strengthening resilience.
BUILDING CAPACITY: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) equips individuals with practical skills to respond when a colleague is in distress or crisis.
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The courses are often delivered together as they are complementary focusing on both culture and capacity. ​
TWM
Building culture.
Transforming workplace cultures.
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Purpose: Build awareness, reduce stigma, and strengthen resilience in the workplace.
Impact: Fosters psychologically safe and supportive workplaces.
Relevance: Without cultural change, stigma persists, and mental health challenges can go unnoticed.
MHFA
Building capacity.
Conversations and pathways to support.
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Purpose: Provide practical skills to recognise and respond to someone experiencing mental health problems or crises.
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Impact: Enables employees to take action when it matters most.
Relevance: Without response skills, conversations may not lead to help.
Location
The Working Mind training in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Nowra, Kiama, the Illawarra region and Australia wide online, offers evidence-based, rigorously evaluated, skills-based and internationally recognised content, delivered in a local context ensuring relevance and a personal training experience.
Our Commitment to Mental Health
We’re committed to leading the way by
empowering meaningful mental health conversations.
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Based in Wollongong, we’re dedicated to improving mental health awareness and literacy
in communities and workplaces across NSW.
Conversations have the power to make someone feel supported and heard, break down barriers, reduce stigma, connect individuals to help, and even save lives.
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Our goal is to inspire more people to join the conversation and culture of safety and support across Australia.
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Be a part of the change. Register for The Working Mind training today and make a difference in your workplace or organisation.
