Published August 2025
The first ever MHFA Aid Day will soon be here and there’s a range of ways that you can get involved.
For 25 years, MHFA has been supporting people to learn the skills that may save a life. Over 1.5 million Australians have completed a MHFA course, with over 8 million worldwide across 29 countries. Founded by Betty Kitchener AM and husband Professor Tony Jorm, MHFA has become one of the most trusted, evidence based mental health education programs in Australia and internationally.
On this first ever MHFA Day, there is the chance to promote and encourage all Australians to learn life-saving conversation skills. Whilst 1 in 2 Australians will face a mental health challenge throughout their life, only 1 in 3 will seek help when they need it.
“With the right knowledge and skills, every conversation can be a turning point in someone’s life.”
MHFA aims to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and help people develop the skills to encourage people to seek appropriate professional help.
Many have completed a physical first aid course and the acronym DrsABCD comes readily to our mind. Far fewer would know the MHFA action plan of ALGEE.
Where a physical first aider provides initial support to someone with a physical injury, MHFA’ers provide initial support to a person developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis.
Being a part of MHFA Day
- Become a MHFA’er
Seek out a MHFA course and learn the skills that may save a family member, neighbour, work colleague or anyone in your community. Email [email protected] to find out what’s on. - Host a MHFA course
MHFA courses provide options that can work for your organisation or community. Courses can be for adults supporting adults or for adults supporting youth. They can be delivered face to face or a blend of face to face and online. - Host an event on August 19
Some great suggestions from MHFA include:
– hosting a morning tea and invite a MHFA’er to share their experiences
– invite staff to take a conversation walk where they can share their strategies for managing stress or positive self-care strategies
– create a conversation wall where people can share messages of support or useful strategies. - Donate to MHFA or create a fundraiser
Every dollar helps support those who need it. - Share via social media
MHFA has some great images for sharing on social media. Access these online via mhfa.com.au/our-day/.
As an instructor in MHFA for both Workplace and Youth courses I have seen firsthand the difference these courses can make. On numerous occasions people who have recently become MHFA’ers reach out after they have needed to use the skills learnt to help a friend or colleague. All are grateful for having learnt how to have the conversation.
Gary Bruce is a youth counsellor (GaryBruceCounselling) and coach (Going Beyond Results), MHFA Instructor and registered teacher with over 35 years’ experience. He has run MHFA courses for workplaces, schools, clubs and individuals. To find out more email [email protected] or follow him on LinkedIn (GaryRBruce) or Facebook (Going Beyond Results)
