To celebrate 25 years of Mental Health First Aid, we invite each of our MHFAiders, Instructors, international partners and providers to share a short 30-60 second video sharing your ‘why’. Why did you decide to become an MHFAider, an instructor, a provider, or a partner? Why are you passionate about MHFA?
From humble beginnings
In 2000, Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm founded Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in Australia.
The idea came about during a simple walk with their dog when they realised there was no mental health equivalent of physical first aid. From that moment, they developed a training program to help people support others experiencing mental health problems or crises that would soon be delivered to a small group in Canberra.
To a global movement
From those beginnings, MHFA has grown into one of the most trusted mental health education programs in the world.
More than 8 million people have now been equipped with the skills to recognise, understand and respond to mental health problems or crises, creating circles of safety and support in homes, workplaces, schools and community settings worldwide.
The difference we are making worldwide
Through MHFA training, more than 8 million individuals have gained the skills and confidence to:
- Recognise the signs of mental health challenges early
- Offer help and support in a compassionate way
- Encourage professional support when needed
- Reduce stigma and promote open, supportive conversations
25 years of empoweringearly intervention||mental health literacy ||voices of lived experience||population mental health||global communities||conversations.
For a quarter of a century, MHFA has helped shape a world where mental health conversations are normalised, supported, encouraged – and informed by lived experience.
CONVERSATIONS
Helping individuals experiencing mental health problems to feel supported, heard and understood.
EARLY INTERVENTION
Ensuring mental health problems are recognised and addressed before they escalate.
Mental health literacy
Giving people the knowledge and confidence to understand and talk openly about mental health.
Voices of lived experience
Ensuring those with lived experience and experts inform our programs.
Population mental health
Ensuring mental health problems are recognised and addressed before they escalate.
Global communities
Adapting MHFA to local contexts in workplaces, schools, healthcare settings worldwide.
How to get involved
For this milestone year, we’re inviting the entire MHFA community to join us in celebrating and continuing the movement. Get involved, share your story, and help us ensure that every conversation matters.
Step 1: Share your "why"
Submit a video or text sharing why you’re passionate to be part of MHFA.
Step 2: Download resources
Download social media graphics and email banners to celebrate 25 years.
Step 3: Donate
Help us to create circles of safety and support across Australia.
Hear from our MHFAiders
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF
Mental Health First Aid - Live Event
On February 14, we were delighted to gather online with our MHFAiders, Instructors, providers and international partners to celebrate 25 years of Mental Health First Aid.
In the below recording of our live event, you will hear from people who have made the Mental Health First Aid’s journey possible, from its early days as a grassroots idea in Canberra in 2000, to a global movement with more than 8 million trained across 30 countries today.
It’s also the official launch to our community of our new strategic plan, in which we have set an ambitious goal to reach 3 million Australians trained in MHFA – and 12 million globally – by 2030. We know we can’t do this alone – it will be with the passion, dedication and commitment of our MHFA community that we will get there, as well as partnerships, collaboration, targeted advocacy and innovation.
Global reach
As a respected global leader of mental health first aid education, we have inspired an international movement that has seen our programs adopted in over 30 countries, with more than 8 million people now trained worldwide.
Impact Report 2023-24
Read about our work in achieving our strategic vision over an 18-month period, from research and evaluation and program quality and delivery, to education and community development.
Strategic Plan 2024-2030
This six-year plan builds on our global impact over the last 25 years, renewing our spirit of collective effort and collaboration to achieve our vision and purpose.
Reconciliation Action Plan
We are thrilled to launch our Reflect RAP to formalise our commitment to reconciliation and supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Australia’s First Peoples.
