For 25 years Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has been building circles of support around people facing mental health problems. Even though 1.5 million Australians are trained, MHFA remains one of our country’s best-kept secrets – but I’m hoping to help change that.
For the first ever Mental Health First Aid Day, we’re shining a light on these circles of support and encouraging all Australians to learn life-saving conversation skills.
2025 Mental Health First Aid Day is Tuesday 19th August
We spend up to 80% of our waking day in conversation – in person, on the phone, in virtual meetings, over text or via social media. This year’s theme is “Make every conversation matter”.
I was lucky enough to be able to join a group of 20 or so other individuals recently to undertake the Youth Mental Health First Aid course and thanks to that course I am now a certified Mental Health first aider.
Just like a physical first aider knows how to step in and help during a medical emergency, Mental Health First Aiders are trained to spot the signs of mental health struggles and offer support when it’s needed most.
You’ll find Mental Health First Aiders everywhere — in workplaces, schools, families, friendship groups, and communities. They’re everyday people, just like you and me.
MHFA have created this awesome resource – 25 ways to Make Every Conversation Matter. Grab your own larger version here.
How can you get involved?
- Undertake the training & become a MHFAer. Learn life-saving conversation skills to support friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and anyone in your community. https://www.mhfa.com.au/our-courses/
- Download the supporter toolkit from https://www.mhfa.com.au/our-day/
- Share the power of a conversation. Use #MakeEveryConversationMatter #MHFADay.#
- Let others know you’re an MHFAider or Instructor by adding a 🐨 to your social media profile name.
- Start a conversation using the 25 ways to Make Every Conversation Matter.
- Host a conversation or run a MHFA course on August 19. Find inspiration and ideas in the Supporter Toolkit.
- Join a fundraising event or start an online fundraiser to help grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program.
- Buy apparel. Show you are proudly part of the MHFA community and encourage more people to join.
- Donate to MHFA to help grow circles of support for those who need it most.