Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA)
Practical skills for students to support peers safely and responsibly
Helping students look out for each other — with care, clarity, and the right adult support.
Teen Mental Health First Aid equips secondary school students with a clear, age-appropriate framework to recognise when a peer may be struggling, respond with care, and involve a trusted adult early.
Delivered in schools, the course builds confidence, shared understanding, and safe peer support — while reinforcing clear boundaries and responsibility.
Introduction
Young people often turn to friends first when something feels wrong. While peer connection can be powerful, students also need guidance on how to respond safely, recognise limits, and involve adults when concerns arise.
Teen Mental Health First Aid provides students with practical, structured skills to notice early signs of mental health challenges, start supportive conversations, and seek appropriate help. The course strengthens peer awareness while reinforcing that involving trusted adults early is central to safe and responsible peer support.
Why Teen Mental Health First Aid Matters
- Students gain confidence to respond when a peer may be struggling
- Early signs of distress are recognised sooner
- Peer conversations become calmer, clearer, and safer
- Trusted adults are involved earlier and more consistently
- Schools strengthen wellbeing pathways and shared responsibility
This supports safer school environments and helps students understand their role within clear boundaries.
Who This Course Is For
Teen Mental Health First Aid is designed for:
- Students from Year 7 onwards
- Secondary school settings
- Schools committed to strengthening student wellbeing and peer support
tMHFA is delivered only in schools where staff are trained as Youth Mental Health First Aiders, in line with MHFA Australia requirements.
What Students Learn
The course builds practical, age-appropriate skills, including:
🗸 Recognising common signs that a peer may be experiencing mental health challenges
🗸 Understanding how to approach and listen supportively
🗸 Using the tMHFA Action Plan to guide safe responses
🗸 Knowing when and how to involve a trusted adult
🗸 Responding appropriately when there are concerns about safety
Learning is interactive, supportive, and grounded in real school scenarios.
Mental Health Topics Covered
Teen Mental Health First Aid focuses on challenges commonly experienced by young people. They learn about mental health problems, helping a friend in a mental health crisis and helping a friend who is developing a mental health problem.
All content is delivered in a developmentally appropriate, non-graphic manner.
Delivery Format
- Delivered within secondary schools
- Interactive, classroom-based sessions
- Three sessions per cohort
– Years 7-10: Three × 60-minute sessions
– Years 11-12: Three × 75-minute sessions - Facilitated by accredited MHFA instructors
Delivery aligns with school safeguarding and wellbeing policies.
Learning Outcomes
After completing Teen MHFA, students develop:
- Greater confidence supporting peers safely
- Clear understanding of boundaries and responsibility
- Practical skills for early recognition and response
- Increased willingness to involve trusted adults
- Stronger awareness of school support pathways
Accreditation & Recognition
Teen Mental Health First Aid is aligned with standards set by Mental Health First Aid Australia.
Students receive a Teen Mental Health First Aid Certificate of Completion.
Let’s Start the Conversation
If you’re looking to strengthen student wellbeing, support safe peer connections, or build clearer pathways for early support, we’d be glad to connect.