MHFA England: Local branch of an international movement

Local branch of an international movement

Mental Health First Aid is now running in sixteen countries around the world.  Australia is the birthplace of MHFA.

In 2000, Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm began writing a MHFA manual and an accompanying course, with the aim to improve the mental health literacy of members of the Australian community. Since then, the MHFA Training and Research Program has been developed, evaluated and disseminated nationally and internationally. This Program includes a 5-day Instructor Training Course to accredit suitable candidates to become MHFA Instructors who deliver the 12-hour MHFA course to their communities. This 12-hour course is designed to give members of the public some skills to help someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis situation. The philosophy behind the course is that mental health crises, such as suicidal and self-harming actions, may be avoided through early intervention with people developing mental disorders. If crises do arise, then members of the public can take action to reduce the harms that could result.
http://www.mhfa.com.au/

MHFA is revised regularly to keep up-to-date with developments in mental health as well as listening to feedback from course participants and instructors.  One key spin-off of the course (and not originally anticipated) is that people have found it to be a safe and confidential space where personal mental health issues can be shared if they so choose.

In 2008 the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) announced support for training and qualifications in Mental Health First Aid. Together with NMHDU (National Mental Health Development Unit) RSPH is developing a national qualification in Mental Health First Aid and is also accrediting the national training programme for the MHFA course instructors.