MHFA England

MHFA Refresher Course

The half-day MHFA England course that keeps an existing Mental Health First Aider's skills and knowledge current and confident. Delivered by KeyOstas, in-company or as a scheduled course, online or face-to-face.

Half day Accredited by MHFA England Certificate on completion Existing Mental Health First Aiders
Key facts at a glance
Half day
Durationa focused session, around four hours
MHFA England
Accreditationthe recognised national training body
Every 3 years
Recommendedthe recognised interval for refreshing the role
First Aiders
Audiencepeople who hold a current MHFA qualification
The course
Quick answer

What is the MHFA Refresher course?

The MHFA Refresher is a half-day MHFA England course that keeps an existing Mental Health First Aider's skills and knowledge current. It refreshes the MHFA action plan and self-care, and is recommended every three years. KeyOstas delivers it in-company or as a scheduled course, online or face-to-face.

A half-day MHFA England course for existing Mental Health First Aiders
Refreshes the MHFA action plan and the confidence to use it
Recommended every three years to keep skills current
For people who hold a Mental Health First Aid qualification
Mental health knowledge moves on, and a Mental Health First Aider's skills are easy to lose if they are not used often. The MHFA Refresher is the half-day MHFA England course that keeps them current. Over around four hours it refreshes the MHFA action plan and how to apply it, updates delegates on mental health, and rebuilds the confidence to spot the signs that a colleague is struggling and to step in and support them. It also covers the First Aider's own wellbeing and self-care, which matters in a supporting role. The course is for people who already hold a Mental Health First Aid qualification, and Mental Health First Aid England recommends that First Aiders refresh their training regularly, around every three years, to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. The course is delivered through interactive activities and discussion, and delegates receive a certificate on completion. KeyOstas delivers it in-company or as a scheduled course, online or face-to-face.
Half day
a focused refresher of around four hours
Every 3 years
the recommended interval for refreshing
MHFA England
the recognised national training body
Is it right for you

Is this course right for you?

The refresher is for people who already hold a Mental Health First Aid qualification.

Right for you if…

You have Mental Health First Aiders whose training is a few years old
You want to keep their skills, knowledge and confidence current
Your First Aiders completed a Mental Health First Aid course in the past
You want a short, focused course rather than repeating the full training
You want to follow the recommended practice of refreshing every three years

A different course fits better if…

Your people have never trained as Mental Health First Aiders: see the two-day Mental Health First Aid course
You want to train mental health champions: see the MHFA Champion course
You want a wellbeing awareness session for all staff: see Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness
After the course

What you will be able to do

By the end of the course, every delegate will be able to do the following.

Refresh the knowledge

Update on mental health

Refresh their understanding of mental health and recent developments.

Recognise the signs

Restate how to spot the signs that a colleague may be struggling.

Refresh the action plan

Refresh the MHFA action plan and how to apply it.

Renew confidence

Rebuild the confidence to step in and support a colleague.

Sustain the role

Have the conversation

Refresh the skill of starting and holding a supportive conversation.

Signpost to help

Restate how to guide a colleague to professional help and other support.

Look after yourself

Apply self-care and protect their own wellbeing in the role.

Stay current

Understand why refreshing the training regularly matters.

Course content

What the course covers

A focused half day, delivered through interactive activities and discussion.

01

Refreshing the knowledge

  • An update on mental health and recent developments
  • Recognising the signs that a colleague may be struggling
  • Rebuilding confidence in the role
02

The action plan

  • The MHFA action plan refreshed
  • Starting and holding a supportive conversation
  • Guiding a colleague to professional help and other support
03

Self-care and staying current

  • Self-care and protecting your own wellbeing in the role
  • Why refreshing the training regularly matters
  • Group discussion and shared experience
Assessment

How the course is assessed and certificated

Discussion-led learning in a supportive group, with a certificate on completion.

Format

Instructor-led, MHFA England course

Delivered by KeyOstas online or face-to-face, in-company or as a scheduled course.

Assessment

Activity and discussion, not an exam

The course is built on interactive activities and discussion rather than a formal test.

Certificate

MHFA England certificate

Delegates who complete the course receive an MHFA Refresher certificate accredited by MHFA England.

The refresher is for people who already hold a Mental Health First Aid qualification. MHFA England recommends refreshing the training around every three years.
Why KeyOstas

Why train with KeyOstas

Four decades of practical, in-company health & safety training.

01

In-company or scheduled

Run the refresher for a group of your First Aiders, or attend a scheduled course.

02

Online or face-to-face

Take the refresher as live online sessions or face-to-face, whichever suits your team.

03

MHFA England accredited

A recognised, nationally accredited course, delivered by an experienced tutor.

04

Specialists since 1984

Four decades of training UK workforces in health, safety and wellbeing.

FAQ

MHFA Refresher course: frequently asked questions

Who is the MHFA Refresher for?
People who already hold a Mental Health First Aid qualification and want to keep their skills, knowledge and confidence current.
How long is the MHFA Refresher?
It is a half-day course, around four hours.
How often should Mental Health First Aiders refresh?
Mental Health First Aid England recommends refreshing the training regularly, around every three years, to keep skills and knowledge up to date.
Do I need to have done the full course first?
Yes. The refresher is for people who have already completed a Mental Health First Aid course. It is not a substitute for the full training.
Is the refresher accredited?
Yes. It is accredited by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, the recognised national body, and delegates receive a certificate on completion.
Can the refresher be delivered online?
Yes. KeyOstas delivers it online as live instructor-led sessions or face-to-face, and in-company or as a scheduled course.
Does the refresher cover self-care?
Yes. It covers the First Aider's own wellbeing and self-care, which matters in a supporting role.
Is there an exam?
No. The course is built on interactive activities and discussion in a supportive setting.

Refresh your Mental Health First Aiders

Tell us how many First Aiders you would like to refresh and whether you would prefer the course online or face-to-face, and we will put together a quote.

Last reviewed: May 2026. Checked against the awarding body and current course information.