International Recognition
Excellence. Effectiveness. Efficiency.
Mental Health
First Aid Program Awards and Recognition
The Mental Health First Aid Program has continued to receive recognition and awards for excellence, effectiveness and efficiency within Australia and overseas since the Program was first developed in 2000. This has included the provision of Mental Health First Aid as a key evidence-based health promotion and early intervention program for public and social policy initiatives.
Recent awards and recognition are listed below.
Program Recognition
Explore the different areas of our Accreditations below:
The TheMHS Medal – Australia
In 2017, Mental Health First Aid Australia won the prestigious TheMHS Medal. The TheMHS Medal is the top award of the Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand given for exceptional contribution to Mental Health.
Evidence-based Programs and Practice Recognition – United States
In 2015, Mental Health First Aid was listed in the USA by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on their National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioural health of the nation.
Radical Efficiency Recognition
In 2010, the Mental Health First Aid Program was identified and recognised as a case study example of Radical Efficiency by the Nesta Innovation Foundation in the United Kingdom. Radical Efficiency is a concept that is all about innovation that delivers better and lower cost public services.
Presidential Approval
In 2013, former President of the United States Barack Obama put forward a specific plan to protect children and communities by reducing gun violence in the United States. This included the provision of Mental Health First Aid training teachers and other adults who interact with youth to detect and respond to mental illness in children and young adults, including how to encourage adolescents and families experiencing these problems to seek treatment.
In 2015, Michelle Obama supports the Mental Health First Aid Program while addressing an audience of government, business and nonprofit leaders in Washington in 2015. The then First Lady spoke about how we must change the way we support and care for people with mental health and substance use problems, and stated that the Australian developed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a strategy to do just that.
Founder Recognition
Betty Kitchener AM has received many honours and awards in recognition of her work related to the development and expansion of the Mental Health First Aid Program within Australia and overseas.
Member of the Order of Australia – Betty Kitchener AM
On Australia Day 2015, Betty Kitchener Co-Founder and Inaugural Chief Executive Officer was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community through mental health support, research and the development of the education program Mental Health First Aid.
Other forms of Founder Recognition
It’s important that we evaluate every course we write.
Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Consumer Researcher Award, 2004.
Order of Australia Medal (OAM), 2008.
Excellence in Mental Health Education, National Council of Behavioral Healthcare, USA, 2008
Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Consumer Researcher Award, 2004.
Exceptional Contribution to Mental Health Services Award, TheMHS, 2009.
Australian Rotary Health Knowledge Dissemination Award, 2010.
Induction to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, 2011.
Addressed Parliamentary Breakfast for Canadian Parliamentarians, Ottawa, 5 June 2012.
Finalist, Victorian Senior Australian of the Year, 2014.
Australia's 100 Women of Influence Award, 2014.
Chancellor's Alumni Award, University of Canberra, 2015.
Alumni Award, University of New South Wales, 2016.
