The program's vision is focused on fostering genuine partnerships with national institutions to fulfill Saudi Arabia's vision by addressing psychological and mental barriers that could hinder societal progress. The program has devised a tailored approach aligned with the unique needs of the local community, especially amidst economic and social advancements and increased social cohesion.
Originating in Australia, the program has undergone necessary adaptations to suit the Saudi society, becoming the pioneer in the Middle East. This reflects Saudi Arabia's comprehensive progress across various domains, particularly mental health, which has experienced notable advancements within the nation.
The Mental Health First Aid Program aims to equip individuals to offer initial mental support within their communities. It offers a specialized curriculum and a range of international courses featuring leading experts in mental health. Graduates are empowered to apply their knowledge in both community and professional settings.
The specialized courses for the program are conducted in various locations across Saudi Arabia, aiming to alleviate the burden of travel for participants who would otherwise need to journey to distant cities or provinces. This accessibility ensures that attending the courses is within reach for everyone, catering to all demographics rather than solely targeting experts or professionals in the field of mental health. Our goal is to achieve a long-term equation where one mental health assistant is available for every ten individuals in the community, thus contributing to raising awareness about mental health throughout Saudi Arabia.
The program does not discriminate based on gender, as it is crucial for both sexes to have access to courses that qualify them to work in the field of Mental Health First Aid and provide services that promote the primary objective we strive for in society, which is enhancing mental health. The National Center for Mental Health Promotion is responsible for operating and managing the program. It is the leading institution for providing mental health services in the Middle East. Through its provision of free services accessible to all members of society, it aims to demonstrate the official entities' concern for the mental health of individuals and visitors to Saudi Arabia
MHFA program in its Country of Origin
To create a workplace environment that supports mental health, consider arranging on-site sessions for MHFA training. This effort can boost employees' psychological and overall well-being, leading to a positive impact on their productivity.
The Training Period in Australia
2000
In 2002, the first MHFA course was established as a training program with the aim of enhancing psychological knowledge among members of the Australian community.
2011
After 10 years, the program's dissemination was completed, with 1% of the adult population in Australia, totaling 170,000 individuals, trained.
2013
The first training program in the Middle East was conducted in Saudi Arabia under the supervision of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion.
2015
The number of attendees for the MHFA course in Australia reached 2.16% of the adult population.
2018
The program has reached more than 25 countries
2023
Over 5 million individuals worldwide have participated in the training to dat,There are over 60,000 trainers worldwide.
MHFA Program in Saudi Arabia
To create a workplace environment that supports mental health, consider arranging on-site sessions for MHFA training. This effort can boost employees' psychological and overall well-being, leading to a positive impact on their productivity.
During this period, several achievements were made:
Signing a cooperation agreement.
Translating the Mental Health First Aid Guide.
Translating and adapting the Trainer's Kit.
Monitoring developments and updates in the program and implementing them in the Arabic version.
2015
2013
The first training program in the Middle East was conducted in Saudi Arabia under the supervision of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion.
2016
The Arabic version of the Mental Health First Aid Guide was formally endorsed as a reference and published on the World Health Organization's website on World Mental Health Day, themed 'Mental Health First Aid'
2017
The first Train-the-Trainer program was conducted in KSA with the founders of the program present from Australia.
2018
The launch of the first training program in Saudi Arabic for Mental Health First Aid
2019
A Train-the-Trainer Course was organized in the Western region to achieve wider dissemination and spread the training across various regions of the Saudi Arabia.
2020
Conducting 100 training sessions across more than 15 cities in Saudi Arabia.
Publishing a study on the training's effectiveness in a scientific journal.
2022
Expanding the reach and access to various towns, villages, and cities due to the provided support.
