Communities
Explore training that equips individuals and communities with the skills and knowledge to support someone experiencing a mental health problem.
1 in 5
Australians will experience mental health problems in any given year.
MENTAL ILLNESS
Now affects every Australian either directly or indirectly.
ALMOST 2 IN 5
Young adults aged 16–24 experience a mental health problem.
Why Choose Mental Health First Aid?
Empowering communities with early intervention mental health training helps foster a culture of care, enabling individuals to thrive and communities to flourish.
Mental Health First Aid is a practical skills-based education program that equips people with the skills and confidence needed to recognise and respond to someone they know who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.
Grounded in research and guided by the voice of lived experience, our courses provide high-quality, safe and proven mental health first aid literacy and skills training to strengthen the support available to all Australians.
Empowering mentally healthy communities
Every person is likely to know family members, friends, co-workers or community members who are experiencing a mental health problem.
In fact, mental illness is now said to affect every Australian either directly or indirectly. This demonstrates the need for community-led models of care that empower individuals where they live, work and play.
Understanding how to talk about mental health and having the confidence and knowledge to help someone in need are important skills that any person in the community can learn.
This is where Mental Health First Aid training can help.
Watch this short video about Mental Health First Aid and your community
Download our Community Fact Sheet
Learn more about how MHFA training can help build capacity in your community.
Find the Training That’s Right for You
Browse our range of core course options available for communities:
Adults Supporting Adults
Equip adults with the skills to provide support to other adults across diverse populations and crisis situations.
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Standard MHFA
For adults to support other adults experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
For adults to support an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adult experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
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Older Person MHFA
For adults to support other adults (aged 65+) experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
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Adults Supporting Young People
Empower adults with the skills and knowledge to support young people experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.
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Youth MHFA
For adults to support a young person experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
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Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
For adults to support a young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
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Peer-to-Peer Support
Empower young people with the practical skills to support each other.
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Teen MHFA
For young people to support a friend or classmate experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
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Specialised Courses
Explore our range of specialised courses that equip adults with the skills needed to support someone experiencing a specific mental health problem or crisis situation, including harm from gambling, non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Choose how to deliver your training
Once you’ve chosen the course that’s right for you, the next step is to choose how to delivery your training. There are three options available:
Book a public course
Individuals or small groups can register to attend a public course. All public courses are listed in our course finder which can be accessed on each course page.
Learn More
All upcoming core and specialised MHFA public courses are listed in our course finder, which can be accessed on each course page.
Please note Licensed MHFA Instructors set their own course fees, so pricing may vary based on your location and chosen course delivery format.
Visit your preferred course page to take the next step and find a course online or at a location near you.
Organise in-house training
Larger groups can find a Licensed Instructor to deliver private training in-house or at a mutually agreed venue.
Learn More
Our decentralised model lets you find a Licensed MHFA Instructor with the background and experience to best suit your needs.
You will need to work with your chosen Instructor to finalise the details of your training, including:
- Costs
- Dates
- Location.
Visit your preferred course page to take the next step and organise an Instructor to deliver in-house training.
Become an Instructor
Training someone to become a Licensed MHFA Instructor can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to embed MHFA training within your community on an ongoing basis.
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Become a Champion Community
Local councils can be recognised for their commitment to building mentally healthy communities through Mental Health First Aid training.
Learn more about how Champion Communities are building capacity for community care in a planned, integrated and sustainable way – and how your community can be recognised through this program.
Watch our videos for MHFA in the Communities
Read about MHFA in Action
Subscribe for Updates
Subscribe to receive practical tips for promoting positive mental health practices as well as information about implementing Mental Health First Aid training in your community.
