Does it work?

Testimonials from UWS staff


The Counselling Service at UWS has been running the Mental Health First Aid course for the last two years, completing 22 courses. In that time the responses of the participants have been overwhelmingly positive, citing the course as important, hands on, friendly, interactive, easy to understand and excellent.

"Until you participate in this course you probably don't realise the importance of it." - David Hamilton, Information Technology Services
» Read participant comments [PDF 148Kb] (opens in a new window)

Survey responses from UWS staff


Participants are asked four questions about their experience of the MHFA course.

Below you will find results of those survey questions:


Evaluation Trials


A program that evaluates the effects of the MHFA training course has produced a wealth of material that clearly outlines the success and benefits of the program. These benefits include better recognition of mental health problems, better understanding and reduced stigma, increased ability and confidence in providing help and first aid to other.

Below are a range of articles that detail the success and benefits of the program:

  1. Uncontrolled trial with the public, 2001 (opens in a new window)
  2. Controlled trial in the workplace, 2004 (opens in a new window)
  3. Controlled trial in a rural area, 2003 (opens in a new window)
  4. Qualitative study of the first aiders experiences, 2004 (opens in a new window)
  5. Australian National Survey: Looks at Mental Health First Aid Responses of Public, 2003-2004 (opens in a new window)
  6. MHFA Training: review of evaluation studies, 2005 (opens in a new window)
  7. Overview of the MHFA Training and Research Program (opens in a new window)
  8. The international spread of the MHFA Program, 2007 (opens in a new window)
  9. Improving mental health capacity in rural communities, 2008 (opens in a new window)
  10. Description and evaluation of a MHFA program for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 2009 (opens in a new window)
  11. Enhancing mental health knowledge and skills of agents working with farmers, 2009 (opens in a new window)
  12. Evaluation of Mental Health First Aid training with members of the Vietnamese community in Melbourne, Australia (opens in a new window)

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