20/03/2025: As the world grapples with rising mental health challenges, an Australian grassroots initiative has transformed into a global movement, equipping 1.5 million Australians with life-saving skills, while training millions more across the globe.
In 2025, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is celebrating 25 years with a pledge to train another 1.5 million Australians by 2030.
Founded in 2000 by Australians Betty Kitchener AM and Emeritus Professor Tony Jorm, MHFA was the first program of its kind, pioneering a community-based approach to mental health early intervention. Just as physical first aid equips people to help in a medical emergency, MHFA empowers individuals to recognise the signs of mental health problems and respond appropriately, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek professional help.
Betty’s first MHFA class 25 years ago had just 9 students. Today, MHFA trains around 140,000 Australians a year and has reached over 8 million people across 30 countries. MHFA has been adopted in workplaces, schools, universities, veterans’ groups, community organisations and sporting clubs. From the USA and Canada to the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. From Denmark and Sweden to Israel, Saudi Arabia, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand – MHFA continues to expand, reaching diverse communities.
Here in Australia, more than 1.5 million Australians have been trained over the past 25 years through social enterprise and philanthropic support, via a passionate network of instructors.
Co-founders Professor Tony Jorm and Betty Kitchener AM founded Mental Health First Aid training more than 25 years ago
“What began as a local initiative 25 years ago has evolved into a global gold standard for mental health education. MHFA’s success is a testament to the vision and dedication of Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm,” Mental Health First Aid’s CEO Angus Clelland said.
“We are now moving to our next phase of development, which includes new approaches to our training, to make it available to more people across the community, business sector and beyond. We have a target of 1.5 million by 2030.”
Backed by 25 years of high-quality research and evaluation, Mental Health First Aid is also one of the world’s most extensively evaluated public mental health interventions, supported by more than 200 peer-reviewed independent publications. Research confirms that MHFA training significantly improves participants’ confidence in discussing mental health, decreases stigma, and enhances community capacity to provide support.
“As MHFA enters its next 25 years, the need for accessible mental health first aid has never been greater. With ongoing federal and state funding, research and innovation, new partnerships, and a commitment to changing and saving lives, this Australian success story is set to make an even greater impact on global health outcomes as we work toward MHFA at scale,” Mr Clelland said.
The Hon Emma McBride, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, celebrates 25 years of MHFA and why she is proud to be a Mental Health First Aider.
