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MHFA Refresher Course
Refresh your MHFA Two-Day Qualification.
4.5-Hour Course
On-Site or Online
8 - 25 Attendees
Keep your MHFA Qualifcation up to date
Course Description
Just like physical first aid, mental health first aid needs a regular top-up too.
MHFA England recommends that all Mental Health First Aiders (who have attended the full two-day course only) should take an MHFA Refresher course every 3 years.
This course is only available to people who have completed the MHFA Two-Day Course in England, or who have completed a Level 3 Qualification in Mental Health.
Course Structure
This is a half-day course, delivered in a single morning or afternoon session.
4.5 Hour Session
Learners will refresh their existing Mental Health First Aid skills and knowledge:
- Recognise those who may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early interventionÂ
- Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supportsÂ
- Practise active listening and empathyÂ
- Have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigmaÂ
- Discuss the role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality
- Practise self-careÂ
- Know how to use the MHFAider Support App®Â
- Know how to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England®Â
- Learn beyond the course through membership of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders
Course Frequency and Availability
This course is available to Mental Health First Aiders who are approaching their third anniversary of initial qualification, or their most recent refresher course.
For example, if someone took a two-day course or a refresher course on 01/01/2026, they would be due a refresher course by 01/01/2029.
Additionally, this course is now also available to delegates who have completed other Level 3 Mental Health Qualifications, including:
- FutureQuals Level 3 Award in Mental Health: Workplace First AiderÂ
- FAA Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
Certification
This course is certified by Mental Health First Aid England. MHFA England are the official body for Mental Health First Aid in England, and are part of MHFA International.
Those who complete the course will refresh their MHFA Two-Day qualification, as recognised by MHFA England.
About Mental Health First Aid England
Mental Health First Aid England is the main provider of MHFAid in England and is part of MHFA International – the international standard for Mental Health First Aid.
Not sure where to start with Mental Health First Aid?
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on Mental Health First Aid in the workplace, helping you understand exactly what you need to do for your business. Click below to read the full blog
Our Mental Health First Aid Courses
This Course
The MHFA Refresher Course
A half-day course, refreshing an existing MHFA Two-Day qualification.
MHFA Refresher Open Course
The MHFA Refresher course for individuals and smaller teams.
Why Train with New Leaf Health
“This course was great! it covered such a range of sensitive subjects amazingly, giving me the skills and knowledge to now feel comfortable to go and apply this in my role as a mental health first aider.”
MHFA Course Delegate
“As an anxiety sufferer, I felt today’s course was very eye-opening, informative and reassuring. I have taken away knowledge to highlight “triggers” I personally struggle with and turn them into coping techniques.”
Managing Anxiety Course Delegate
“This course made me consider the process an event can have that can lead to stress, and techniques on how to reduce that stress. This reflection also helped me step back and see that I do have my own techniques that I would use but just didnt know I was! “
Resilience Course Delegate
More Information on MHFA Refresher Training
Who needs to take the MHFA Refresher course?
This course is available to existing MHFAiders who have qualified under MHFA England previously, or to those who hold other level 3 mental health qualifications, including:
- FutureQuals Level 3 Award in Mental Health: Workplace First AiderÂ
- FAA Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
How often do I need to refresh my MHFA certification?
MHFA England recommends refreshing your MHFA qualification every 3 years.
What happens if my MHFA certification has already lapsed?
While there is no hard rule for cut-offs, delegates who are less than 6 months over their lapsed date (i.e. 3.5 years since qualification) can still complete the MHFA Refresher Course.
This is not a guaranteed rule, however, and MHFA England could introduce stricter guidance on this at any time.
Do I need to retake the full course, or is the Refresher enough?
Generally, if you’re 3-years post-qualification (or most recent refresher) and you feel confident in your role, the refresher course should be fine for you.
If, however, you’re more than 3.5 years past initial qualification or refresher, you will likely need to retake the full course.
Additionally, if you haven’t been active in your role during those years since qualification, retaking the full course may be more beneficial to you.
What does the MHFA Refresher course cover?
The Refresher Course assumes a basic working knowledge of mental health and some of the key principles covered on the full course. This course gets you back up to speed with some things you may have forgotten, whilst also giving you knowledge and skills that may be necessary due to legislation or guideline changes, as well as changes in MHFA England’s policies or procedures.
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