Is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) an accredited course?

Key Summary

You can complete the short assessment at the end of a course to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider).

Accreditations are valid for 3 years.

Is MFHA an accredited course?

Yes, MHFA courses from Mental Health First Aid Australia are accredited courses. At the end of the course, a short online assessment is completed to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider), and the accreditation is valid for three years.

As a Mental Health First Aider, you are recognised as equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide initial mental health first aid assistance to a person experiencing a mental health problem until professional help is received or the crisis is resolved.

What is a Mental Health First Aider?

Mental Health First Aiders, or MHFAiders, have completed a Mental Health First Aid course. They are equipped with the practical skills and confidence to recognise, understand, and respond to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

MHFAiders play a critical role in reducing stigma and promoting pathways to support those experiencing mental health problems in our workplaces, communities, schools, and tertiary institutions. MHFAiders have the practical skills and knowledge to:

Maintain the values and qualities of the role

Understand the importance of confidentiality and non-judgemental listening.

Provide initial support to people

Use an evidence-based action plan to provide mental health first aid.

PROMOTE PATHWAYS TO SUPPORT

Help guide others to appropriate professional help or other supports.

Contribute to stigma reduction

Reduce stigma to encourage pathways to professional support.

Maintain boundaries in their MHFAider role

MHFAiders are not therapists or counsellors, nor can they diagnose mental illnesses.

Practice Self-care

Understand the importance of self-care when supporting others.

Does the MHFA accreditation expire?

Yes. Accreditations are valid for 3 years.

You can do a refresher course to extend the MHFAider accreditation for another 3 years.

Can I do the MHFA refresher course every 3 years?

You can do an MHFA Refresher course once after the MHFA induction (full) course.

If you have already completed an MHFA induction course, after three years, completed an MHFA refresher course, and it’s now three years after your refresher course, you will have to complete another induction course to be reaccredited as an MHFAider.

Is MHFA Nationally Recognised?

Yes. In fact, internationally recognised: Over 6 million people are trained in mental health first aid across 25 countries.