Meet Our Instructors
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Thank you for organising. We thoroughly enjoyed the course. Excellent presentation and loads of hands-on practical time.
A Very positive experience
- MAY 2025
Hear From Our Qualified Students
Get Your Mental Health First Aid Certification
With Sports Medicine Australia
Learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of adult mental health conditions or crisis
Learn the skills needed to provide adult mental health support
One Conversation Can Change a Life. Learn How to Start It
2 x 6 hour in person sessions held over two days in convenient locations close to you
All sessions delivered by licensed Mental Health First Aid Australia instructors
One conversation can change a life.
Learn how to start it.
Learn How to
Support and Respond
Gain the skills to identify early signs of mental health challenges, respond with confidence, and support others in a safe and effective way.
Our training empowers you to have meaningful conversations, offer initial help, and connect people with the right resources whether at work, home, or in your local community.
Standard Mental Health First Aid Course
Contribute to
Stigma Reduction
Our workshops help you to challenge common misconceptions around adult mental health conditions in day-to-day life.
We help you gain the skills to foster open conversations, create environments where it's safe to speak up and seek support, and encourage people to pave pathways to professional help.
Learn About Common Mental Health Conditions
Learn how to apply your skills in a variety of mental health conditions including:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Psychosis
• Substance Use Problems
• Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours
• Panic Attacks
• Non-Suicidal self-injury
• Traumatic Events
Each course facilitator is handpicked by our education team and is among Australia’s leading mental health educators. They bring hands-on experience managing a wide range of mental health issues and crises and have delivered mental health education across diverse student groups and learning environments, ensuring a world-class learning experience.
Tamara (“Tam”) is a licensed Mental Health First Aid Instructor who leverages a combination of deep personal connection and decades of experience leading large teams in high-pressure television productions (including MasterChef Australia and The X Factor) to provide a training experience that is pragmatic, humanistic and exceptional.
Her commitment to mental health is deeply personal, shaped by her family’s military background and strengthened through experiences that tested her resilience.
Tamara combines operational expertise with empathy, creating tailored, practical training experiences that equip participants to recognise mental health challenges, respond confidently, and foster psychologically safe environments. Her approachable, down-to-earth style and extensive leadership experience make her an inspiring and exceptional instructor.
Tamara Meek
Thomas Pulleine
Tommy, as he is affectionately known, is a highly accomplished Mental Health First Aid Instructor, bringing a rare depth of experience and insight to program delivery. With 18 years of service in the Australian Army, including multiple deployments to conflict zones, Tommy has witnessed firsthand the psychological pressures and emotional challenges that can arise in extreme situations.
Since transitioning from the military, Tommy has dedicated himself to supporting others by delivering programs that strengthen resilience, well-being, and leadership capability.
He holds qualifications in Training and Assessment, Business Management, Leadership, and Community Services, and is a certified instructor in both Mental Health First Aid and Resilience First Aid. His sessions combine authenticity, empathy, and real-world perspective.
The facilitator did a really good job of keeping me engaged, and she didn’t present the content in a boring way. I am leaving this course with a lot to takeaway.
excellent facilitator
- july 2025
Excellent course and very proactive, interactive, and informative. All of my questions were answered thoroughly.
Gave me confidence
- September 2025
Mental Health First Aid for your Workplace
The Mental Health First Aid course equips staff at all levels with the skills to recognise when someone may be struggling, to respond appropriately, and contribute to a workplace culture built on care and support. It’s not about becoming a therapist, it’s about knowing how to listen, offer help, and guide people toward the right resources. When mental health is prioritised, workplaces become stronger and more connected.
Support your team and colleagues the right way
Contribute to stigma reduction and help build a positive workplace environment by understanding the signs and symptoms of mental health crisis and when to listen and speak up.
Help develop your professional leadership skills - MHFA is a respected addition to your resumé and can help build valued skills such as communication and emotional intelligence.
Learn how to properly connect and support others in mental health crisis, through the use of evidence-based action plans.
Our Locations
Mental Health First Aid classes are available in major cities across NSW and Victoria. We also offer flexible scheduling and locations in many other areas to suit your needs. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!
Gain Important Leadership Skills
Develop key leadership skills such as active listening, empathy, and effective communication. Mental Health First Aid training strengthens your ability to respond in challenging situations, foster trust, and promote a culture of care and awareness.
What Mental Health First Aid Can Do for You
Improve Your Mental Health Knowledge
Build evidence-based knowledge about common mental health conditions and crises. Learn to recognise early warning signs, respond with confidence, and provide meaningful support to those who need it most in your workplace, community, or everyday life.
Improve Your Confidence
Gain the confidence to have open, supportive conversations about mental health. Learn how to respond calmly in a crisis, offer practical help, and guide people towards professional support when needed, whether at work, home, or in your community.
Our Partners:
Schools
Who Will Benefit From Mental Health First Aid?
Universities
Corporate
Offices
Managers
& Leaders
Sports
Organisations
Community
Groups
Our Standard Mental Health First Aid Course is perfect for all levels of mental health experience.
Margo Blacklaw
Margo is a Principal Master Instructor with Mental Health First Aid Australia and one of the country’s most experienced facilitators in mental health education. With a background in psychology, counselling, and education, she brings more than two decades of experience designing and delivering impactful training across schools, workplaces, and community settings.
A former teacher, Margo combines deep expertise with genuine empathy, ensuring every participant feels supported and engaged. Her sessions are known for being relatable, practical, and empowering, helping individuals and teams build confidence in recognising and responding to mental health challenges.
Respected for her professionalism, warmth, and humour, Margo is deeply committed to reducing stigma, strengthening understanding, and creating safer, more compassionate environments for all.
Marisa is an accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor and accomplished educator with a career spanning four decades across teaching, wellbeing, and fitness. Having taught for almost 30 years before moving into the health and wellness sector, she brings a deep understanding of how to connect, engage, and empower people from all walks of life.
As the founder of Just Believe Fit, Marisa built and led a thriving wellbeing studio that combined Pilates, group fitness, and holistic health education. Her experience as a teacher, facilitator, and fitness instructor is complemented by her lived experience of mental illness, giving her a rare blend of empathy, insight, and authenticity in every session she delivers.
Warm, knowledgeable, and engaging, Marisa is passionate about helping individuals and workplaces strengthen their mental health literacy and create environments where emotional wellbeing can truly thrive.
Marisa Lawlor
Mental Health First Aid empowers you to recognise the signs of mental health challenges early and provide the right support when it matters most.
Understand and
Practice Self-Care
Supporting others starts with caring for yourself. This course helps you understand your own mental health, recognise when to step back, and build resilience, so you can show up fully for yourself, your colleagues, and those you care about.
The SMA Difference
For over 60 years, Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) has been a leading not-for-profit educator, collaborating with the Australian public to promote health, safety, and wellbeing.
Our commitment extends beyond our courses. We provide exceptional student support and responsive customer service, ensuring every participant has a seamless learning journey.
Each course facilitator is handpicked by our education team and is among Australia’s leading mental health educators. They bring hands-on expertise, ensuring a world-class learning experience.
Get Your Mental Health First Aid Certification
With Sports Medicine Australia
Learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of adult mental health conditions or crisis
Learn the skills needed to provide adult mental
health support
One Conversation Can Change A Life. Learn How To Start It
2 x 6 hour in person sessions run over two days in convenient locations close to you
All sessions delivered by licensed Mental Health First Aid Australia instructors
What Our Course Includes
Industry Accredited
Our Mental Health First Aid courses are taught by industry professionals, and meet industry MHFA Australia’s standards across the country
The SMA Difference
60+ Years of Expertise
With over six decades of national
leadership in health and education, SMA is trusted for evidence-based
solutions and professional excellence.
Industry Led Workshops
Delivered by experienced facilitators with deep industry knowledge, SMA provides interactive sessions that combine real-world case studies with evidence-based strategies
Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) has been a leading not-for-profit educator, collaborating with the Australian public to promote health, safety, and wellbeing. We provide exceptional student support and responsive customer service, ensuring every participant has a seamless learning experience.
Locations around NSW & Victoria
Get Your Mental Health First Aid Certification
With Sports Medicine Australia
Learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of adult mental health conditions or crisis
Learn the skills needed to provide adult mental health support
Are you prepared to help when it matters most?
One Conversation Can Change a Life. Learn How to Start It
2 x 6 hour in person sessions held over two days in convenient locations close to you
All sessions delivered by licensed Mental Health First Aid Australia instructors