Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Ireland
Our accredited MHFA courses equip employees with practical skills to recognise, respond and support colleagues experiencing mental health challenges. Trusted by employers across Ireland, MHFA training helps improve wellbeing culture and reduce mental‑health‑related absence.
For MHFA courses, workshops and webinars, call 0161 204 3417
What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training teaches employees how to recognise early signs of poor mental health, respond safely in a crisis and offer immediate, confidential support to colleagues. The course helps Irish employers reduce stigma, strengthen wellbeing culture and meet their duty of care by ensuring staff know how to act when someone is struggling.
MHFA training provides a clear, practical action plan that employees can use to guide conversations, de‑escalate distress and signpost colleagues towards professional help when needed. This creates a more supportive, proactive and psychologically safe workplace.
Why Mental Health First Aid Matters
Irish employers have a legal duty of care to protect the mental health and wellbeing of their people. Having trained Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace ensures employees can recognise early signs of poor mental health, respond safely in a crisis and provide confidential, compassionate support when colleagues need it most.
Early intervention doesn’t just reduce risk — it strengthens engagement, improves organisational commitment and helps prevent issues from escalating into long‑term absence. MHFA training supports a healthier, more productive workforce and delivers a measurable return on investment through reduced absenteeism, improved wellbeing culture and better overall performance.
Who should take this course?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is suitable for anyone in your organisation who wants to build confidence in supporting colleagues’ mental wellbeing. While every employee can benefit from developing stronger mental health awareness, the course is especially valuable for managers, HR professionals, team leaders, carers, teachers and anyone in a people‑facing role.
MHFA training equips staff with practical skills to recognise early signs of poor mental health, respond safely in a crisis and guide colleagues towards appropriate support. By training a diverse group of employees, organisations create a more empathetic, proactive and supportive workplace culture.
What you will learn
Recognising early signs of poor mental health: A core part of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is learning how to identify early signs of poor mental health in colleagues. Employees are taught how to spot changes in behaviour, mood or performance and intervene with timely, appropriate support before issues escalate. Early recognition is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk, prevent crisis situations and strengthen workplace wellbeing.
Crisis communication and response skills: MHFA training also equips employees with the confidence to respond safely and sensitively during a mental health crisis. Participants learn how to approach difficult conversations, de‑escalate distress, provide immediate reassurance and signpost colleagues towards professional help. These crisis‑response skills help organisations protect at‑risk employees, reduce the likelihood of critical incidents and create a more supportive, psychologically safe workplace.
What you will learn
Responding to Suicidal Thoughts: MHFA training provides employees with the skills and confidence to support colleagues who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Participants learn how to recognise warning signs, ask direct and sensitive questions, assess immediate risk and provide reassurance in a calm, non‑judgemental way. Trained MHFAiders are equipped to guide individuals towards professional help and ensure they are not left to cope alone, strengthening early intervention and safeguarding within the workplace.
Referral Pathways and Professional Support: A key benefit of having certified Mental Health First Aiders is the creation of clear, trusted referral pathways within your organisation. MHFAiders act as identifiable points of contact who colleagues can approach in confidence when they are struggling. Whether they notice signs of poor mental health or are approached directly, trained MHFAiders can signpost individuals to HA | Wisdom Wellbeing’s referral services for expert support.
Through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), employees can access immediate guidance, structured signposting and in‑the‑moment emotional support. Our counselling team can triage individuals quickly, ensuring they receive the right level of care at the right time — helping employers reduce risk, prevent crises and build a safer, more supportive workplace culture.
Course options
Online MHFA Training: If there is no Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course available in your area, HA | Wisdom Wellbeing offers a fully accredited online MHFA programme for up to 16 employees. This two‑day virtual course provides the same high‑quality learning experience as in‑person training. All participants need is a laptop or computer with video capability and a reliable internet connection. Online delivery is ideal for remote teams, multi‑site organisations or employers looking for flexible training options.
In‑Person MHFA Training: For organisations that prefer face‑to‑face learning, in‑person MHFA courses can be delivered over two days for groups of up to 16 employees, plus up to four key organisational representatives such as HR professionals or wellbeing leads. This format allows for deeper discussion, practical exercises and real‑time interaction, helping teams build confidence in supporting colleagues’ mental health.
Workplace Wellbeing Programmes: Mental health challenges are a leading cause of workplace absence, and employers without trained MHFAiders face a higher risk of crises, disengagement and long‑term sickness. Having certified Mental Health First Aiders in place is as essential as having physical first aiders — they help identify early signs of poor mental health, provide immediate support and strengthen your organisation’s wellbeing culture. A structured MHFA programme can significantly reduce absence, improve early intervention and create a safer, more supportive working environment.
Benefits of MHFA Certification
Irish workplaces that prioritise employee wellbeing consistently see higher engagement, stronger productivity and reduced staff turnover. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification helps employers build a culture of openness, early intervention and psychological safety — ensuring employees feel supported when they need it most.
Having trained Mental Health First Aiders in your organisation means colleagues have someone they can approach in confidence, and managers have the reassurance that early signs of poor mental health will be recognised and acted on. MHFA certification empowers employees to provide immediate, compassionate support and guide individuals towards professional help when required.
By investing in MHFA training, employers can strengthen wellbeing culture and benefit from:
A full, accredited MHFA qualification recognised across Ireland
Greater confidence supporting colleagues experiencing mental health challenges
Early intervention skills to prevent issues from worsening
Reduced stigma around mental health in the workplace
The ability to guide someone towards appropriate, potentially lifesaving professional support
Improved organisational wellbeing, reduced absence and a stronger return on investment
Accreditation and standards
HA | Wisdom Wellbeing delivers accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in partnership with MHFA England. All courses follow the official MHFA England Adult syllabus, ensuring your employees receive high‑quality, evidence‑based training recognised across the UK and Ireland. Completing the programme provides participants with an accredited MHFAider or MHFA Champion certification, demonstrating your organisation’s commitment to workplace mental health and wellbeing.
MHFA accreditation is valid for three years. To maintain their certification and keep their skills up to date, MHFAiders are required to complete an official refresher course within this period. HA | Wisdom Wellbeing provides accredited refresher training to ensure your people continue to meet best‑practice standards and feel confident supporting colleagues’ mental health in the workplace.
Pricing and inclusions
The cost of accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in Ireland typically ranges from €120 to €350 per person, depending on the delivery format, group size and location. This investment provides your organisation with high‑quality, evidence‑based training delivered by expert MHFA instructors, along with a three‑year certification.
Every participant receives a comprehensive set of MHFA learning materials, including an official MHFA manual and workbook that can be used for ongoing reference after the course. Certified MHFAiders also receive a practical ‘Z‑card’ — a quick‑reference guide that reinforces key MHFA principles and helps colleagues easily identify trained Mental Health First Aiders within your organisation.
These resources ensure employees feel confident applying their skills in real‑world situations and help employers build a stronger, more supportive workplace wellbeing culture.
Mental health first aid training FAQ's
Related entities
MHFA England — the accredited body whose evidence‑based MHFA syllabus is delivered and adapted for Irish workplaces.
HA | Wisdom Wellbeing — Ireland’s provider of accredited MHFA training, workplace wellbeing programmes and organisational mental health support.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — a confidential support service that MHFAiders signpost colleagues to for professional counselling and clinical help.
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 — the core Irish legislation outlining employer duties around psychosocial risk, stress, and workplace wellbeing.
Workplace mental health — the broader wellbeing framework MHFA supports, including early intervention, stress management, and organisational culture.
HSA (Health and Safety Authority) — the national regulator providing guidance on psychosocial hazards, stress, and employer responsibilities.
Stress risk assessment — a key employer requirement in Ireland that MHFAiders help inform through early identification of stress indicators.
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