Help us to expand culturally responsive training
For nearly 20 years, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program has empowered individuals, workplaces and communities to provide culturally informed support to First Nations people when it matters most. But to reach more communities and train more people, we need your help.
With no ongoing government funding, your support is vital to expand this life-changing program and create culturally safer circles of support for all Australians.
Why your support matters
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience significantly higher rates of psychological distress and suicide than non-Indigenous Australians, with these rates continuing to rise.
For 18 years, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program has been working to close this gap by providing culturally responsive and informed training to equip people with the skills and confidence to respond to First Nations peoples experiencing mental health problems or crises.
But to increase our impact, we need to expand this program. Your support will help us reach more communities, train more instructors, and build stronger, more culturally responsive circles of support across Australia.
How your donations are used
Through your generous donation, you can help us to:
Increase access to training
Train more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA instructors, to build the capacity of more Australians in communities and workplaces.
Strengthen community engagement
Strengthen our capacity for advocacy and engagement to develop deeper connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and state and federal governments.
Enhance research support
Increase our capacity to
drive the development and enhancement of culturally relevant and evidence-based programs.
Tailor support for remote communities
Develop initiatives to assist remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide culturally relevant mental health support.
Meet Elsie, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFAider
“Before I did the course, I didn’t know how to have a conversation. Learning the skills the course provided me, it played a big impact in my life.”
With your support, we can expand our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA program to reach more people like Elsie.
Every contribution counts, and can make a significant impact on helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to receive timely, culturally informed support when they need it most.
Looking for other ways to support us?
There are plenty of other ways you can get involved and support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program. We would love to hear from you if you:
- Would like to donate via direct bank transfer or cheque
- Are interested in corporate partnerships or sponsorships
- Are interested in setting up Workplace Giving
- Are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFAider or Instructor and would like to share your story.
We are living and dealing with our mob with mental health problems and trauma every day. We need to equip our people with the skills to identify the early warning signs, understand what’s happening, understand what support is available, and know how to access it.
– Aunty Florence Onus, a proud Birrigubba, Bidjara and Jagalingu woman and survivor of the Stolen Generation
Without a doubt, embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA as part of our core module training has
saved lives in community.
– Rachel Montgomery, Australian Red Cross
Donate now
Your donation helps us reach more communities, train more instructors, and equip more individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples facing mental health problems.
Find out more
Why is Mental Health First Aid raising funds?
Since 2007, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid® Program has empowered communities with culturally responsive training to support First Nations peoples experiencing mental health problems or crises.
Developed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this program recognises the importance of social and emotional wellbeing, community connection, and culturally informed care.
But the need is growing – and we must do more. Your donation will help us expand the reach of this vital program, train more instructors in community, and build the capacity of more Australians to provide support through a culturally informed lens.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, donations to Mental Health First Aid International (MHFAI) are tax-deductible. You’ll receive a receipt for your donation, which you can use for tax purposes.
What if I want to dedicate my donation to a specific cause or program?
We are currently raising funds to expand our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program.
However, if there is another program or area of impact that you would like to support, please reach out to us for more information.
Is Mental Health First Aid International a registered charity?
Yes, Mental Health First Aid International is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Our purpose is to provide education programs that build mental health literacy in communities across Australia and around the world.
We also conduct research to develop and evaluate these programs, and we support their delivery through training, partnerships, and community engagement.
All funds raised directly support our charitable purpose. Sometimes we launch specific fundraising appeals – such as for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid (AMHFA) program – and when this is the case, it will be clearly communicated so donors understand exactly where their support is going.
Mental Health First Aid International is licensed to fundraise in all states and territories in Australia. We may also partner with trusted fundraising platforms such as GiveNow and Grassrootz to manage donations securely on our behalf.
Organisation details:
Mental Health First Aid International
ABN 57 153 480 436 | ACN 153 480 436
Level 18, 150 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
www.mhfa.com.au | +61 3 9079 0200
Is Mental Health First Aid a registered fundraiser in each state?
Mental Health First Aid International is an ACNC registered charity whose purpose is providing education programs to increase the mental health literacy of the Australian and global communities.
We conduct research to develop and evaluate a number of programs, as well as engaging in activities to support effective dissemination of and engagement with these programs within Australia and overseas. Funds raised by Mental Health First Aid International will directly support our charitable purpose. We are currently raising funds to expand our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA program.
Fundraising licenses in relevant states are:
- NSW CFN /27455
- QLD CH4842861
- SA CCP4655
- TAS C/425
- VIC FR0017559
- WA CC23831
What is currently in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program?
Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Program includes the following courses, developed and delivered by First Nations peoples, to all Australians:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
- Youth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
- Talking About Suicide – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
- Talking About Non-Suicidal Self-Injury – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
- Talking About Gambling – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA
- Youth Yarns – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA (Coming soon)
By donating, you can help us to train more instructors, build capacity of more Australians, and increase our capacity for engagement, advocacy, research and program development.
