World Mental Health First Aid Day
Wednesday 18 November 2026
If someone was experiencing a mental health problem, would you know
what to do? Turn wanting to help into being ready to help.
Around the world, 10 million everyday people are trained in Mental Health First Aid. They know how to recognise the signs someone is experiencing a mental health problem and respond by providing support until the right help arrives. They’re ready when it matters.
This World Mental Health First Aid Day, we’re making their quiet impact visible and inviting more people to be ready when it matters.
#ReadyWhenItMatters #MHFADay
Why being ready matters
1 in 2 people
will experience a mental illness at some time in their life
727,000 people
lose their lives to suicide every year
At some point in your life, you will come across someone who is struggling with their mental health. The signs can be subtle – a colleague who’s gone quiet, a friend who cancels one too many times. Without the right skills, even those who care most can freeze in moments that matter.
Mental Health First Aid can turn wanting to help into knowing how to help. Being ready means:
Recognising
Noticing the signs someone is experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
Responding
Knowing what to say and do if someone isn’t OK in an open, supportive conversation about mental health.
Connecting
Promoting pathways to support and connecting someone to the help they need.
Get involved
Whether you’re an MHFAider, Instructor, provider or someone who wants to make a difference, there are several ways you can get involved.
Show you're ready
If you’re trained in MHFA, let others know.
Add a koala 🐨 emoji
to your social media profile name.
Wear green on the day
to show you're part of the movement.
Share you're ready
Celebrate and inspire others to join the circle of support.
Post on social media
about why you became an
MHFAider or Instructor and the
impact it has made. Download tiles
Bring MHFAiders together
to connect or hold a workplace event recognising the importance of MHFA. Download slides
Deliver an MHFA course
on 18 November to help more people be ready.
Be ready
Upskill yourself, staff, students and community members.
Become an MHFAider
by registering for an upcoming course. Find a provider in your country
Refresh your skills
to keep your MHFA knowledge, skills and information up to date.
Email staff, members or subscribers
encouraging them to be ready. Download Supporter Toolkit