News and Media
Read about the latest news, research and updates from Mental Health First Aid® Australia.
MHFA International launches proven workplace mental health program in Australia
18 May 2026: An internationally recognised workplace mental health program designed to build mentally healthy and supportive workplace cultures is now available to Australian organisations, following the official launch of The Working Mind (TWM) by Mental Health...
Mental Health First Aid training reaches more than 1 million people globally and record numbers in Australia in milestone 25th year
15 May 2026: In 2025, more than 1 million people worldwide were trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), the Australian evidence-based education and intervention program, according to the newly released 2025 Impact Report from health promotion charity Mental...
Federal Budget 2026 reform measures will strengthen Australia’s mental health
14 May 2026: Leading health promotion charity Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) International has welcomed the Albanese Government’s 2026–27 Federal Budget, which will see $277.5 million invested over 12 months to extend the National Mental Health and Suicide...
MHFA Australia welcomes the Senate Inquiry into Racism, Hate and Violence Directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
7 April 2026: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia welcomes the announcement of the Senate Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognising the significant impacts racism continues to have on social...
Reflecting on a big year for Mental Health First Aid International
Krystian Seibert, Chair of the Mental Health First Aid International Board, shares his reflections on our milestone 25th year. 2025 has been a big year for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) International, as we have continued our work to grow a global movement...
Strength in culture – Growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program
Karen Bates is a Barkindji woman and Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs at Mental Health First Aid. With more than 26 years’ experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing across clinical,...
New MHFAI resource for assisting those impacted by social media access changes
MHFAI welcomes the Productivity Commission’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Final Report
MHFAI and the Mental Health Commission of Canada partner to bring The Working Mind program to Australia
New funding to grow the 270,000-strong Mental Health First Aid community
Free mental health training extended for veterans and their families
Australian mental health program expands into Mongolia
Visionary co-founder of MHFA retires after 25 years of service
Where There’s A Will brings mental health support to the Upper Hunter
Global leaders meet for the launch of Engage & Care Corporate Coalition in Paris
Report ignites urgent call to support teachers’ mental health with first aid training
Mental Health First Aid International at the IASP 33rd World Congress in Vienna
Monday 9 June: Mental Health First Aid® International will showcase 25 years of global innovation and reach at the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s (IASP) 33rd World Congress this week. The world’s leading suicide prevention experts with gather...
National Reconciliation Week 2025 – ‘Bridging Now to Next’
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme ‘Bridging Now to Next’ invites us to reflect not only on where we’ve been, but where we go next – and how we ensure that path is shaped by truth, respect, and the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander...
Mental Health First Aid marks 25 years at NSPC
Mental Health First Aid International is in Perth for the National Suicide Prevention Conference (NSPC) this week, with a focus on building circles of safety and support around those who may be experiencing or vulnerable to mental health problems or crises. ...
Mental Health Protect a game changer for veterans and serving defence personnel
24 April 2025: As the nation marks Anzac Day, Mental Health First Aid is calling on veterans, serving defence personnel, their colleagues, and their families to access free training through its Mental Health Protect program. With the findings of the Royal...
Candidates urged to back free Mental Health First Aid training for 1 million Australians by 2030
17 April 2025: Australian health promotion charity, Mental Health First Aid is calling on political parties and candidates to commit to providing free community training to 1 million Australians by 2030. As Australia grapples with deepening mental health problems,...
Local Australian mental health success story marks 25 years
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,...
Reflecting on 2024 – A year of connections and collaboration
As we wind down for the year, we wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect on and celebrate the strides we’ve made with our community in 2024. In Australia, we’ve just reached a milestone of 1.5 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid® since course...
MHFAI welcomes the Government’s commitment to veteran and defence mental health and suicide prevention
Mental Health First Aid International (MHFAI) commends the Federal Government’s response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, calling it a landmark moment toward meaningful action. The Government’s commitment to...
MHFAI welcomes COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report findings calling for urgent investment in youth mental health
Mental Health First Aid International welcomes the Australian Government’s response to its COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report, including an urgent commitment to tackle the pandemic’s continuing impact on youth mental health. The first recommendation published...
Veteran community to benefit from free mental health and suicide prevention training
Veterans and their families have access to free mental health literacy and suicide prevention training, thanks to an Australian Government-funded initiative launched today by leading health promotion charity Mental Health First Aid Australia. Announcing the...
More than 100,000 health professional students to be trained in Mental Health First Aid
A landmark initiative aimed at equipping Australia’s future health workforce with the skills to recognise, understand and respond to mental distress was launched this week, backed by $6.7 million in funding from the Australian Government. Assistant Minister for...
Shining a light on mental health reform at TheMHS Conference this week
Mental Health Report Card highlights urgent action required
Last week the National Mental Health Commission published the National Mental Health Report Card 2023 monitoring the performance of Australia’s mental health systems. Angus Clelland, CEO of leading Australian mental health promotion charity Mental Health First Aid...
National Reconciliation Week 2024 – Now more than ever
This year’s National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) theme, “Now more than ever”, is a reminder to us all that, no matter what, we must persevere in our fight for the justice and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the benefit of all...
Federal budget a promising start, but more is needed for whole-of-sector mental health reform
Mental Health First Aid International welcomes the Albanese Government’s 2024–25 Federal Budget which will invest $361 million over the next four years to expand the range of free mental health services for Australians. Angus Clelland, CEO of Mental Health First...
Dr Claire Kelly honoured with Suicide Prevention Australia’s 2024 National LiFE Award for Outstanding Contribution
Congratulations to Dr Claire Kelly and Dr Laura Hart who have received Suicide Prevention Australia’s 2024 National LiFE Award for Outstanding Contribution. This award recognises their significant contribution to the development of the Teen Mental Health First...
Mental Health First Aid Australia calls for a collective approach in considering evaluation
The impacts of a mental health first aid conversation are deeply personal and challenging to measure quantitatively, making accurate evaluation complex, according to Mental Health First Aid® Australia’s Director of International Program, Dr Claire Kelly. The...
Prioritising mental health in the lead up to the referendum
As Australia prepares to vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum on 14 October, Mental Health First Aid® Australia recognises that this may be a difficult time for many Australians. In the leadup to the Voice referendum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander...
Where can Mental Health First Aid help?
As we continue to face an ongoing global mental health crisis, the mental health sector must respond with a multi-faceted, collaborative approach that embraces both clinical and informal community supports. Mental Health First Aid training serves as a bridge to...
Mental Health First Aid Australia appoints leading mental health advocate as new CEO
Mental Health First Aid® Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of leading mental health advocate Angus (Gus) Clelland as its incoming CEO. The Chair of Mental Health First Aid Australia Krystian Seibert expressed his enthusiasm for Mr Clelland taking...
