What is mental health first aid?

Mental health first aid (MHFA) is a training program for people in the community. People complete an MHFA program so that they can give support and help to anyone who experiences a mental health problem or crisis.

Just like physical first aid, mental health first aid provides help until the person can have professional care or until the crisis improves.

There is a growing need for mental health support, especially in young adults.

What type of issues can mental health first aid help with?

MHFA courses can offer support for a range of mental health topics, such as:

• eating disorders
• panic attacks
• isolation
• anxiety
• depression
• bipolar disorder

An MHFA course can also help you learn to notice signs and symptoms of mental illness, and how to maintain good mental health self-care.

By building awareness and skills through MHFA, people are better placed to support early intervention when problems first appear. This can help someone get the right treatment with the right mental health professional sooner.

General practitioners (GPs) are a good place to start for early intervention. A GP can make an initial assessment and refer people for specialist services (such as a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist), based on their needs.

What does mental health first aid training involve?

Accredited MHFA programs are created by mental health professionals and people with lived experience of mental illness. Your instructor will be trained and qualified to deliver the specific course you take. There is a range of courses available, so you can choose one that suits you.

You can do a course face-to-face, online or a combination of the 2 (hybrid courses). Not all courses are provided in all areas across Australia, so if you prefer a face-to-face or hybrid course, check what's available in your area.

MHFA courses can teach you how to:

• recognise a mental health problem
• respond when someone has a mental health crisis
• listen and communicate without judging
• support people around you to seek mental health help when they need it

The course can also broaden your general knowledge of mental health issues, and help prevent unhelpful stigma.

Who can perform mental health first aid?

MHFA programs are suitable for anyone who is 12 or older and committed to improving the mental health of their friends, family and community.

There are many MHFA training courses available, including:

• age-specific for teens, children, adults and older people
• situation-specific for the workplace, school or community
• for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Some workplaces offer MHFA courses — ask your human resources or wellbeing officer if a course is offered in your workplace.

How can I access a mental health first aid course?

A list of MHFA courses can be found on the Australian Red Cross website, and on the Mental Health First Aid website. You can choose a course that's right for you, and find a location, date and type (face-to-face, hybrid or online) that works best for you. Once you select a course, sign up using the contact information on the site.

Resources and support

For resources on specific MHFA topics, explore Mental Health First Aid Australia's blogs.

Visit icare NSW for a fact sheet on MHFA courses.

There is also information for young people and older people, and on topics such as suicide, non-suicidal self-injury and gambling.

Check the healthdirect Australia list of Australian mental health services and read more on low cost or free mental health services.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

MHFA offers courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and youth.

They also offer specialised courses on suicide, non-suicidal self-injury and gambling for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.