Mental health first aid at work: who needs it and how long the certificate lasts

No. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 don't require trained mental health first aiders. HSE's guidance on the regulations, L74, was updated in 2024 to stress that employers should take account of employees' mental health in their first aid needs assessment, because the hazards and risks in a workplace can be physical or related to mental health.

L74 says it may also be helpful to have people trained to recognise mental ill health and support someone with a mental health issue. A first aider with an FAW or EFAW certificate may already be able to give initial support and reassurance, but you should consider whether they need more training, and be satisfied that they know how to get professional help and can act promptly, safely and effectively until it arrives.

MHFA England's certificate lasts three years. It recommends that Mental Health First Aiders take its four-hour MHFA Refresher every three years, which gives them another three years of certification.

If someone trained with another provider, record the renewal period on their certificate. Set the renewal date from the certificate date, so the refresher is booked before it runs out.

MHFA England says Mental Health First Aiders learn to spot the signs of someone experiencing poor mental health, start a conversation and signpost them to appropriate support. HSE's L74 expects anyone giving this support to know how to get professional help and to act safely until it's available.

This guide covers training and records. It isn't clinical advice.

MHFA England runs these courses online or face to face. Record the course name exactly as it appears on the certificate, so each person's renewal matches the course they took.

No law or HSE guidance sets a number. Use your first aid needs assessment: L74 asks about workers with mental health problems and your record of mental ill health, as well as your sites, shifts and how people work. Plan cover for holidays, sickness and night shifts, so someone is always available.

Keep one record per person, so staff know who to go to and the refresher is booked before the certificate runs out.

SkillProof records mental health first aid as a training requirement for the people you choose, with the certificate date, the renewal date and a copy of the certificate. Training records, role requirements and evidence uploads are on every plan.

Starter shows basic due dates and sends standard automated training due and overdue email reminders. Growth adds configurable reminder schedules, recipients and templates, so a manager hears before a refresher is due.

SkillProof doesn't deliver mental health first aid training and isn't affiliated with MHFA England. The first aid certificate guide covers FAW and EFAW, and the renewal periods guide has a free Excel renewal tracker.