What's new at the Learning Centre?
What an incredible start to the new year! 2025 has brought with it many firsts already and we have so much more on the horizon to share.

January marked the first anniversary of the Lived Experience and Training Team and they celebrated by welcoming their newest team member and Lived Experience Educator, Eliza Farley, increasing the team to four. Eliza brings a high-level understanding of lived experience practice, working environments of the lived experience workforce, program development and group facilitation. Eliza has integrated seamlessly and already actively working on our current key priorities.

We have also been busy recruiting to our Infrastructure Team (main learner and event support team). Recent staffing shortages resulted in significant challenges, however we now look forward to welcoming more new staff and restoring functions to support our statewide training service. We apologise if longer response times to enquiries during this time impacted anyone as a result.

Fascinating data from our Accredited course 10881NAT Course in Observing and Documenting the Mental State Examination has been revealed. The information demonstrates high learner satisfaction in the course and we are thrilled to share this with you below.

Read all our exciting updates below to find out what else has been happening!
QC18 launch
A strong start for Suicide Prevention training in Queensland!

Queensland Health is kicking off 2025 with a powerful focus on suicide prevention – because every life matters. Suicide is not only devastating for individuals, its effects ripple throughout entire communities, making prevention more critical than ever.

As outlined in Queensland Health's Better Care Together plan, one way we can respond to this crisis is through high-quality, evidence-based training that helps develop the skills of our workforce. Training empowers individuals to make a difference, equipping them with the tools they need to respond effectively.

Late last year, we took a significant step forward with the soft release of the new QC18 Suicide Prevention Skills: Core (SPS:C) course. During this period, 10 dedicated Clinical Educators (CEs) and Training Partner Educators (TPEs) delivered the course statewide, gathering invaluable feedback that has helped us refine the program. Thanks to their insights, we’ve fine-tuned the course to ensure it provides the most relevant and impactful learning experience possible.

We are excited to announce that the finalised QC18 SPS:C training is officially launched! In the first half of this year 37 training sessions have already been scheduled across Queensland, with many more on the horizon. This incredible response is a testament to the growing demand for suicide prevention skills and the recognition of how vital this training is for our workforce.

But that’s not all. In February, the Learning Centre hosted 14 new TPEs from across Queensland for an intensive 3-day train-the-trainer program, helping them upskill to the QC18 course and become the next group of trainers to teach these essential skills across the state.

The surge in interest and commitment to developing and expanding training partnerships sends us a clear and powerful message: Suicide prevention is a priority, and our workforce is ready and eager to rise to the challenge.

Is your team ready to take the next step? Visit the QC18 Suicide Prevention Skills: Core course page on our Learning Management System to book your place in one of the upcoming training sessions. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Group Facilitation training gets a revamp!

We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes throughout 2024, and we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our re-developed QC27 Group Facilitation in Therapeutic Contexts training — set to be unveiled this month.

After extensive consultations and careful refinement, this updated training is contemporary, relevant, and packed with hands-on value. Our pilot program already received fantastic feedback, with participants describing it as “incredibly engaging and experiential” and praising the “practical, real-world content” that felt directly applicable to their work. One participant even shared, “I would definitely recommend this training to anyone interested in running groups—such relevant content for practice!”

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect from the newly revamped QC27:
  • No pre-requisite eLearning: From March, enrolment in the face-to-face workshop is possible without completing the eLearning modules.
  • Experiential learning at its best: The QC27 workshop is grounded in experiential learning, offering multiple opportunities throughout the day to engage with content, develop new skills, and practice those skills through simulations and group activities.
  • Valuable resources for you: We’ve developed a new activity record, packed with resources that will be your go-to reference long after the training ends.
The next exciting chapter will see brand new eLearning developed. Later this year we plan to launch a fresh new eLearning course, which will support learning around the subject. It will focus on the processes and preparations to support effective group facilitation.
Stigma Reduction eLearning

A new eLearning product focused on Stigma Reduction is in the final stages of development and on track for release during Mental Health Week in October 2025.

The product explores how each of us can contribute to improving workforce well-being through the reduction of stigma experienced by staff in the workplace.

Hours of incredible footage has been captured where our reference group members (lived experience, clinical and non-clinical staff from across the state) generously share their time, expertise and experiences. This valuable content is currently being edited and we anticipate the eLearning will be ready for testing mid-year.

Keep an eye out for an update in our next edition.
eLearning update
Minor change to QC30 VRAM

The Learning Centre continue to improve the way courses are accessed on our LMS, including pre-requisite pathways for courses that require pre enrolment content completion. The most recent update is for the pre-enrolment eLearning to QC30 Violence Risk Assessment and Management (VRAM) which was listed in two places and generated confusion for many learners.

In keeping with our established pre-requisite pathway, this duplication has now been removed and the seperate QC57 Introduction to VRAM eLearning course is now the required pre-requisite before enrolment in a QC30 workshop is possible. The QC30 page will automatically prompt you if you have not previously completed the eLearning.

Learners are asked to answer two brief screening questions to determine suitability before enroling too!
Nationally recognised qualifications for the Lived Experience Workforce

The Learning Centre have been busy preparing to host a Certificate course, with our Lived Experience and Training Team working towards enabling delivery of CHCSS00103 Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set.

This training will support the entry-level workforce with foundational knowledge and skills to practice safely and meaningfully in lived experience roles within Queensland Health Public Mental Health Services.

Last year an EOI was circulated inviting staff to be involved in collaborative working groups focusing on the contextualisation of content and delivery for the Queensland Health setting. We were thrilled to receive over 30 EOIs and have commenced scheduling the working group sessions for February to April.

We anticipate delivery of the course to commence in the first quarter of 2026 but will provide updates as more information is known.
Free training - Understanding lived-living experience workforces

The Queensland Mental Health Commission has funded access to training for the Queensland Health workforce (with no cost for current employees).

Developed by the team at Lived Experience Training (.org) and led by Dr Louise Byrne, a lived experience researcher and internationally recognised leader in the area of Lived Experience workforce development, there are two key courses currently available:
  1. Whole of Sector Orientation to the Lived-Living Experience Workforces – foundational course for all staff to better understand Lived-Living Experience work and why it matters
  2. Regional Understanding and Planning to embed Lived-Living Experience Workforces – an in-depth course suitable for all staff but primarily designed for leaders, HR professionals, managers and workforce development planners to support embedding Lived Experience roles within the organisation. This course has limited participation numbers to approx. 50 people from each PHN region and may include 1-2 people from each organisation (potentially a few more depending on numbers). Anyone attending the regional sessions must complete the Orientation training first.
For more information and to enrol, please follow these links as relevant:
  • Lived Experience Orientation training information
  • Regional sessions information
  • Champions Pack
Sharing evaluation outcomes from our Nationally Accredited MSE course

A recent data report for the workshop 10881NAT Course in Observing and Documenting the Mental State Examination (MSE) was produced by our research team to assist with the re-accreditation of the course.

The team analysed data from 316 learners who completed the post-training evaluation and 105 learners who completed the three months post-training evaluation. Responses indicate that an average of 98% of learners agreed that the course delivered high training quality for the deliveries held between November 2020 and end of 2024. These ratings were observed across both face-to-face and online classroom delivery modes.

The resulting report showcased the high effectiveness of the training to improve knowledge of and ability to observe and document MSEs, from an average of 89% of learners rating the course as very or extremely effective. When compared to pre-training responses, there was a marked increase in confidence to observe and document MSEs immediately following the training and learners maintained high confidence three months post-training.

More than 95% of respondents gave the course the highest possible satisfaction rating of 5 out of 5, with these ratings maintained three months post-training.

Learners reported that they were confident to apply and committed to applying what they had learnt from the MSE course back on the job both post-training and three months later. Mean ratings were above 8 out of 10 on the application scales (10 = extremely confident/committed). Transfer for the course was successful as nearly all learners (>98%) reported application of knowledge or skills learnt from the MSE course at work, and more than three quarters (78.6%) of learners had shared their learning from the MSE course with colleagues.

If you have not completed our Accredited MSE course or it has been a number of years since completing, enrol now to ensure you have the relevant skills and confidence to undertake and document a mental state examination.
Have your circumstances changed?

Enrolled in a workshop, but can no longer attend?

If you are unable to attend it is important that you cancel your enrolment asap. A total of 276 individual 'Did not attend' records were captured for the 2024 training year (Did not attend = an individual was enrolled but did not arrive at training and provided no advice on their whereabouts)!

In the majority of these cases other staff were on standby hoping to be offered a place if a cancellation was received. Non-attendance may also raise concerns about your wellbeing, but as a statewide service we may not be in a position to investigate or follow up.

Please note that all non-attendance is reported to the HHS executive. If required, please consult with your line manager for prioritisation of training.

Changed your team/HHS location/employer?

If you have had any change in your employment circumstances, have relocated, have had a change of contact details, or name change it is important that you update your learner profile in our system.

Your learner profile and training records are important and stay connected to you throughout your career regardless of where you may move. You may update your personal profile details at any time in the MY PROFILE tab, or you can contact us for support if more technical changes are required (for example a change of email address requires assistance). Creating a second account creates complications.

Keeping your profile up to date ensures that you receive any important notifications regarding upcoming events or steps required for your training attendance. It also ensures you are aligned appropriately for HHS and workplace reporting purposes.
Be part of the solution: Support groundbreaking research in suicide prevention!

Griffith University is part of a multi-country research study which is gathering information from mental health professionals around the world to help develop and validate suicide prevention competency tools.

These tools will be used to enhance future suicide prevention clinical practice, research, training, and supervision.

To find out more about how you can participate follow this link to the survey.
Are you receiving your notifications?

We have noticed that an increasing number of individuals are following up for responses to correspondence long after we have replied.

We recommend that you check your Junk email folder regularly in case important messages are inadvertently being intercepted, and where required please enable the [email protected] email address as an 'allowed contact' in your address book.

This will ensure that you receive your responses, important updates and any automated notifications generated by the LMS (such as confirmation of enrolment messages).
What's coming next?

In our next edition we look forward to sharing:
  • Plans to release the Certificate in Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set course
  • The release of other new or updated courses.
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Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning, Ellerton Drive, Wacol Qld 4076
West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, RTO code 40745
ph: 0436 613 469
[email protected]
www.qcmhl.qld.edu.au
ABN: 64 468 984 022
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