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"Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves".

MHFA programs and courses are evidence based training, which teach mental health first aid skills to members of the public and prepare instructors who are trained and accredited individuals to deliver MHFA courses to communities and workplaces across the country. The concept of MHFA is that people should be taught on how to perform basic ‘first aid’ for those showing signs of mental health distress, just as they are commonly taught first aid for physical conditions. 

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International Community

A universal mental health program present in more than 25 countries counting over 3 million trained Mental Health First Aiders.

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Evidence Based

Grounded in research and rigorously tested by experts with inputs from people with lived experience of mental health issues.

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Adapted & Acculturated

A training that reflect the Indian Mental Health status and sources that makes first Aid skills easy to practice.

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Accredited Qualification

Recognizes MHFA knowledge and skills for a period of 3 years. You can become a Mental Health First Aid Officer at your workplace.

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Educates and Skills Public

We all have mental health. Through education and quality awareness we can improve our mental health and that of our society.

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Life Changing Experience

Some lives have been saved and many changed, because of the impact of Mental Health First Aiders.

 

Where It Started

The MHFA course was originally developed at the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University in Canberra. The original Australian version of the manual was written by Betty Kitchener and Professor Anthony Jorm in 2000. Since then, it has evolved into a global movement with licensed programs in more than 25 countries and counting. You can find out more about international MHFA programs at mhfainternational.org. MHFA is now available to Indian citizens and communities.

Mental Health First Aid India

Mental Health First Aid India has obtained the MHFA International license in 2017, to carry out the standard MHFA program, across the country. MHFA India aims to contribute in increasing the mental health literacy among public in India, reduce stigma and bring about positive behaviour towards early help seeking. We work at National level as the largest public oriented, evidence based, prevention and education program to be implemented. Research and Advocacy are the other important domains we are focused at. Our mission is to bring a balance between mental health and physical health knowledge among the public. MHFA India is based at Chennai, providing training across the country through Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructors.

 

MHFA India Team

Standard Mental Health First Aid Training

Standard Mental Health First Aid is a 12 hrs training that can be taken by anyone 18 years and above. It equips people with practical skills to help someone they care about.

MHFA Instructor Training

Instructor training is a 5-day program that enables the participants to run Standard MHFA course in different communities. Instructors are an integral part of MHFA India contributing to the improvement of mental health literacy in the country.

Informative Session

Informative sessions aim to inform communities and organized groups on current mental health situation in India and the importance of gaining mental health literacy through evidence based programs such as Standard MHFA training.

Who Can Benefit from the Training

Any individual 18 years and above! Some of the communities that can benefit directly from the training include:

 

  • General Practitioners
  • Nurses
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Counselors
  • Allied Health Professionals
  • Students & academicians
  • Staff at Workplaces
  • Legal Professionals
  • Police Force
  • Military Forces
  • Prison staff and inmates 
  • Community Leaders 
  • Sports Community
  • Alternative Medical Practitioners
  • Faith healers
  • Emergency staff
  • Policy makers