As we wind down for the year, we wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect on and celebrate the strides we’ve made with our community in 2024.
We’ve just reached a milestone of 1.5 million Australians trained in Mental Health First Aid®. That includes more than 120,000 Australians trained this year alone! Each of these individuals now has the skills, confidence and knowledge to recognise, understand and support someone experiencing mental health problems or crises.
We invite you to explore our reflections on 2024, sharing the important work we are doing to grow the global MHFA movement – from the development of the MHFA Stories series, to the work we are doing advocating to government for stronger investment in MHFA programs and mental health reform.
Whether you’re celebrating or taking quiet time to rest and recharge, we wish you a happy, safe and relaxing holiday season. We look forward to celebrating our milestone 25th anniversary with you in 2025.
All the best,
From all of us at Mental Health First Aid International
7 ways to support someone over the holidays
This holiday period, someone you know might be missing a loved one, working, feeling lonely, facing financial pressure, managing relationship challenges or experiencing heightened stress.
We asked our Mental Health First Aiders how they support people during the holidays. Find out what they had to say.
Taking care of yourself during the holidays
It can be easy to get caught up in the expectations of others over the holiday period, but doing so can leave us feeling drained and may even impact our mental health.
Explore how MHFAiders prioritising their wellbeing to help them recharge effectively, do things they enjoy and connect with others.
‘I went into the Mental Health First Aid course thinking “I’m going to save everyone. I’m going to learn the skills and I’m going to be the hero”. I sat down and realised that I’m actually the one that needs to be saved.’
Cecilia’s mental health story began when she was just 12 years old, although like many others didn’t realise it at the time.
It wasn’t until she was 20 that Cecilia realised her feelings were a symptom of a mental illness. The turning point in her story came during a Mental Health First Aid course.
Watch her video or read her story.
Do you have friends, family members or colleagues in the veteran or defence community?
You may be eligible to participate in free mental health literacy and suicide prevention training, fully funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Learn the skills, confidence and knowledge to recognise, respond to and support a veteran experiencing mental health problems or suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
Craig’s Story: A veteran's path to wellbeing through community connections
After 20 years in the Army, Craig experienced with isolation and mental health problems. Read his story to learn about the steps he took on his path to recovery, and how community connections were at the centre of this.
Waverley College leads the way with all staff trained as Youth MHFAiders
Waverley College, an all-boys school in NSW, is one of the first schools in Australia to fully train all their staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Read how the college transformed its wellbeing framework to commence its whole-of-school approach to MHFA.
Response to the Government’s commitment to veteran and defence mental health and suicide prevention
Mental Health First Aid commends the Australian Government’s response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, calling it a landmark moment toward meaningful action and protecting veteran mental health.
