When Gareth Furber assigned me ALLKND’s Good Mate Training, my first thought was probably the same thought many people have when they hear the words “online training”: here we go again.

I expected videos, questions, a few mental health facts and a certificate at the end.

And technically, that is what I got.

But there was one difference. The course did not just tell me what a “good mate” should do. It repeatedly put me in situations where I had to decide what I would do myself.

That made the hour much more interesting.

 

What is Good Mate Training?

Good Mate Training is a free, self-paced online course that takes 60 minutes. It is divided into three modules and uses short videos, written information, multiple-choice questions, written responses and case scenarios.

The course covers understanding mental illness and cultural sensitivity, the MATE Action Plan, panic attacks, self-harm and alternative coping strategies, suicide prevention and crisis response, your role as a mate rather than a therapist, and looking after yourself.

The format is straightforward. You watch or read the information, you are given a situation, choose how you would respond and then receive feedback.

That feedback is what makes the training different from simply reading about mental health. You are given several possible responses, have to work out which ones are appropriate, and then find out why your choices were helpful or unhelpful.

 

Meet MATE

The main framework running through the training is the MATE Action Plan.

Make the Space Safe. Take Action. Talk it Out. Exit the Situation.

It gives you a simple structure to work through when a mate is struggling, rather than expecting you to remember a completely different response for every situation.

The scenarios are where you actually get to practise it.

 

 

So, what are the scenarios actually like?

This course uses realistic situations involving Nora, Aaron and Rory, each showing a different type of concern.

With Nora, you notice scars on her arm and have to decide how to respond. The options include checking in with her, connecting her with a trusted adult and encouraging helpful coping strategies, as well as less appropriate responses such as confronting her or discussing her situation with others.

Aaron’s scenario becomes more serious. He initially makes comments such as “I am useless” and “I might as well be dead”, and you have to decide whether to dismiss them or ask him directly about suicidal thoughts and help him connect with support. Later, Aaron reveals an imminent plan to end his life that night. At this point, the training tells you to call 000 immediately, explain the situation to the operator and encourage Aaron to speak directly with them. The feedback also explains how to respond while waiting for help, including staying calm, listening and using short sentences.

Rory’s situation happens online. After a breakup and a period of withdrawing from friends, Rory posts on Instagram, “I can’t do this anymore, I’m sick of being here”. Because you will not see Rory until Monday, you have to decide whether to wait, ignore the post or reach out. The appropriate responses include contacting Rory directly, encouraging them to seek support and getting support for yourself if the situation affects you.

What I found most useful was that the scenarios were not simply there to test whether I knew the “right” answer. They showed me things I had not really considered before, particularly the importance of asking directly about suicidal thoughts, recognising when a situation has moved from concern to immediate risk, and understanding that I can support a mate without becoming responsible for fixing the situation.

 

What I learned

I expected the course to teach me about mental health.

It did, but I think what I actually learned was more about my role when someone else is struggling.

Good Mate Training repeatedly reinforces that you are a mate, not a therapist. You are not expected to diagnose someone, solve their problems or manage a crisis yourself.

Instead, the focus is on noticing changes, starting a conversation, listening without judgement, connecting someone with appropriate support and knowing when the situation is beyond what you can manage as a friend.

That distinction sounds obvious, but the scenarios made it much easier to understand because I had to make those decisions myself.

 

 

Was it actually engaging?

For the most part, yes.

The combination of short videos, written responses, multiple-choice questions, scenarios and feedback stops the course from becoming one long block of information. I also liked that the questions were followed by feedback, because even an incorrect answer became an opportunity to understand the situation better.

However, I did find some parts repetitive, particularly the reminders about listening, supporting your mate and knowing your limits. However, by the end I could see the value of reinforcing the same key message. This is information you may need to remember when you are under pressure, so repetition is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

But is one hour enough?

It depends on what you expect from the course.

If you are looking for comprehensive mental health first aid training, Mental Health First Aid Australia offers a much more comprehensive alternative. It covers a broader range of mental health problems and crisis situations: https://www.mhfa.com.au/

Good Mate Training is not trying to provide the same depth.

Good Mate Training is designed as an accessible starting point. It is free, online, self-paced and takes an hour, which makes it much easier to fit into a busy schedule, and you receive a certificate at the end.

 

So, is it worth the grind?

I went into Good Mate Training expecting another online certificate.

What I actually got out of it was an hour of practising how to respond to situations that would be difficult to navigate in real life.

The certificate is probably not the thing I will remember.

I will remember Nora, Aaron and Rory. More importantly, I will remember what their scenarios taught me: notice the signs, ask rather than assume, listen without judgement, know your limits and know when to bring someone else in.