Mental health first aid for legal professionals

Creating confident responders and psychologically safe teams

The recent amendments to the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations place a clear duty on firms and organisations to identify, manage, and minimise psychosocial hazards in the workplace, including high job demands, poor support, remote or isolated work, and exposure to trauma or conflict.

These changes reinforce the need for an integrated model of workplace mental health, one that not only prevents harm, but also promotes wellbeing and supports individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Mental Health First Aid is a foundational part of this model. It equips staff with the skills and confidence to recognise the early signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions, approach conversations with care, and connect colleagues to appropriate support before issues escalate.

For firm leaders, MHFA is a practical step toward meeting legal duties while also fostering a safer, more compassionate, and more responsive culture. Investing in early intervention is not just about compliance - it's about performance, retention, and trust.

This accredited mental health first aid course will give you the tools to assist a colleague or client who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Learn to recognise the signs and symptoms, and how to respond.

The course will cover:

  • how to recognise signs and symptoms of mental health problems and crises in your clients, employees and co-workers
  • understanding the risk factors, and appropriate evidence-based treatments and supports
  • how to respond and offer appropriate support to clients, employees and co-workers using the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan ALGEE.

The course combines a 6-8 hour online (eLearning) component with a follow-on face-to-face training session.

Accreditation

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will attain a 3-year accreditation through MHFA Australia

Details

  • When: Tuesday 23 September 2025, 9:30am to 2:30pm (registration open from 9am)
  • Note: This is an accredited course, which includes 6-8 hours e-Learning that is recommended to be completed prior to the F2F session. The F2F session is an interactive workshop and only available for in-person attendance. This session will not be recorded
  • Where: ACT Law Society training room
  • Cost: $300 per member (includes e-Learning module, face-to-face session, and a light lunch)
  • CPD: Members will earn 5 CPD points, 2.5 in core area 2 (Practice management and business skills), and 2.5 in core area 3 (Professional skills)
  • RSVP by Monday 8 September
  • For further information please contact events@actlawsociety.asn.au

Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.

 

DESI VLAHOS

LLB, Grad Dip Ed
CEO AND FOUNDER
WELLCEUM

Desi is the CEO and Founder of Wellceum, a workplace consultancy supporting legal and professional services integrate strategy to manage psychosocial risk, improve employee resilience, and create visible social impact. Desi is also an Australian Legal Practitioner and senior lecturer of the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the Australian College of Applied Professions in partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria. Admitted in 2005, Desi has practiced in mid-tier, suburban and private firms. In 2013, Desi completed a Graduate Diploma of Education with a focus on legal studies and literature. As a certified mental health first aid trainer, Desi is a strong advocate for mental health, the wellbeing of new lawyers and the profession as a whole.

Desi is a director of the Minds Count Foundation and Co-Chair of the International Bar Association Professional Wellbeing Commission. She holds the seat of Co-Vice Chair for the International Bar Association Academic and Professional Development Committee. She also holds a Certificate III in Fitness Training.

Most notably, Desi was named Australia’s Lawyer’s Weekly Women in Law Wellness Advocate of the Year for 2021 and again in 2022.

Event registration terms and conditions

ACT Law Society invoices have payment terms of 14 days. Fees are payable upon registration. A 1.2% surcharge may be incurred on payments processed via credit/debit card. The Society reserves the right to cancel or alter events at its discretion, and in such circumstances, attendees will be notified via email. 

Definitions — 'Registration' means any booking given to the Society in writing, on our website, or by phone. 'Member' means any member of the ACT Law Society, including associate members and honorary members. 'New Lawyer' means any member who has held a practising certificate for five years or less. 'CLC' means any member working for a recognised community legal centre, or holding a volunteer practising certificate. 'Student' means any member holding a student membership.

All cancellations must be made in writing, and all cancellations will incur a fee, however, no charge will be incurred for substituting another person. Outside of the cancellation periods given below, a $10 administration fee will be incurred for any cancellation made. If a registered attendee fails to attend without notifying the Society in writing, no credit or refund will be offered and 100% of the total cost will be retained by the Society. 

CPD Events — In the case of CPD events held at an venue other than the Law Society, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event. In the case of CPD events held at the Law Society, for cancellations made up to two working days prior to the event, 50% of the total cost will be retained by the Society as a cancellation fee and the balance may be used as a credit towards other CPD events or be refunded. If you choose to keep a credit it will remain valid for 12 months from the event date, after which time it will expire. For cancellations within two working days of the event, no refunds or credits will be applicable. 

Webinars — In the case of live or on-demand webinars, as connection details are sent when registration is completed, no refund or cancellation is available. 

Social events — In the case of social events, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event.

Attendees of events consent to filming, photography and sound recording as members of the audience. By registering and attending this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes

 

 

Registration

Single ticket (members) $300.00(GST incl.) Register
Single ticket (non-members) $420.00(GST incl.) Register
Single ticket (Student member) $120.00(GST incl.) Register

Schedule

Accredited Mental Health First Aid for Legal Professionals This course combines a 6-8 hour online (eLearning) component with a 5-hour follow-on training session.

Participants will learn how to assist colleague or client who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

COMPONENT 1: The eLearning component of the program will cover and will be distributed to registrations on RSVP date

Developing mental health problems: Depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use problems and eating disorders

Mental health crises: Suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury, panic attacks, traumatic events, severe psychotic states, severe effects from alcohol or other drug use and aggressive behaviours.

COMPONENT 2: The 5-hour interactive workshop will cover: Learn how to recognise signs and symptoms of mental health problems and crises in your clients, employees and co-workers. Understand risk factors and appropriate evidence-based treatments and supports. Learn how to respond and offer appropriate support to clients, employees and co-workers using the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan ALGEE

Session 1:

  • Revision of eLearning modules
  • Mental health in the legal industry
  • Revising ALGEE Anxiety and Depression
  • Crisis first aid for suicidal thoughts
  • Applying MHFA in your workplace

Session 2:

  • Revision of eLearning modules
  • Available resources
  • Eating Disorders
  • Psychosis Substance use problems
  • Applying MHFA in the workplace
  • Self-care
  • Using the MHFA Action Plan to help

Speakers

Sponsors & Supporters

The Mental Health First Aid of r Legal Professionals workshop is proudly supported by Legalsuper. 

You know law. We know super.

As the provider of superannuation services to the legal industry, we've served its unique needs for over thirty years. Since 1989 we have delivered customised high-performing superannuation solutions for the legal community. Members trust us to act in their best financial interests. We manage their super with the same exceptional level of knowledge they bring to their work in law. This commitment is the bedrock of our partnership and drives everything we do. Visit legalsuper.com.au to find out more.

This information provided is of a general nature, and it's recommended that you obtain personal advice from a licensed financial adviser and  read the legalsuper Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available at legalsuper.com.au before making any decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future performance.

Open in Google Maps