Scotland's Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA)
Scotland has its own mental health first aid programme, developed for NHS Health Scotland. If you're based in Scotland, SMHFA is the locally recognised equivalent of the MHFA England course.
Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) is a 12-hour course developed for NHS Health Scotland and delivered across Scotland by approved instructors. Like its England counterpart, it trains participants to preserve life, provide immediate help, and guide a person towards professional and community support — with course content reflecting Scottish services and context.
The course covers recognising mental health problems, responding to a crisis including suicidal behaviour and self-harm, the effects of alcohol and drugs on mental health, and recovery. Many Scottish employers and public bodies specify SMHFA when appointing workplace first aiders.
MHFA England’s online courses are also open to participants in Scotland, and some Scottish employers choose them for UK-wide consistency — but for in-person training in Scotland, SMHFA is the native programme.
What you'll learn
- Recognise the signs of mental health problems and distress
- Provide initial help using the SMHFA approach (ALGEE)
- Respond to a crisis, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm
- Understand the role of alcohol and drugs in mental health
- Guide someone towards professional help and support recovery
Who it's for
- Workplace mental health first aiders in Scotland
- Community groups, clubs and volunteers across Scotland
- Scottish public-sector and third-sector staff
Things to consider
- Delivered in person — organisations wanting live-online delivery in Scotland often use the MHFA England online course instead
- A separate Young People version (YPSMHFA) exists for those supporting 11–17 year olds
SMHFA is Scotland’s own programme, developed for NHS Health Scotland and delivered by approved instructors — it is a separate qualification from MHFA England.
Frequently asked questions
Is SMHFA equivalent to the MHFA England qualification?
They are separate programmes run by separate bodies, but they cover closely comparable ground and both are widely recognised by employers in their respective nations. If your organisation spans the border, some employers standardise on one programme for consistency; either is a credible choice.
Is there a youth version in Scotland?
Yes — Young People’s SMHFA (YPSMHFA) is a 14-hour course for adults supporting 11–17 year olds.