Why Every School Leader Should Be Trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Mental health isn’t an optional topic
If you lead a school today - whether in Frankfurt, Berlin, Zurich, or Stockholm - you know that mental health issues are more visible than ever. Students are navigating a world of constant stress, and teachers sometimes find themselves running on empty.
As a school leader, you probably wear a dozen hats. But one of the most important is being someone who sees, supports, and protects the wellbeing of your staff and students. That’s exactly why Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training isn’t just useful, it’s essential.
So, what is MHFA?
MHFA is just like physical first aid, but for mental health. It teaches you how to:
Spot the early signs of mental health challenges
Listen without judgment
Offer calm, practical support
Guide someone towards appropriate professional help
It’s not about turning educators into therapists. It’s about helping school leaders respond with confidence when a student or staff member is struggling.
What is MHFA? It’s about learning to spot the signs, offer support, and listen without judgement.
Why school leaders need MHFA
When leadership understands mental health, the whole school benefits. Here’s how MHFA training supports you as a leader:
You’ll feel more confident supporting students in crisis
You’ll be better equipped to help staff facing stress or burnout
You’ll help reduce the stigma around mental health in your school
You’ll be able to embed wellbeing into your policies and culture
A trained leader sets the tone, creating space for others to speak up, be supported, and thrive.
Teachers need support too
Teacher burnout is real. Across Europe, we hear from educators who are passionate but exhausted. When school leaders are MHFA-trained, they’re more likely to:
Notice when a teacher is struggling
Offer meaningful, non-judgmental support
Create a culture where asking for help feels safe
When staff feel seen and supported, they stay longer, perform better, and contribute to a more resilient school.
MHFA training can really help empower your team to have better conversations about mental health, creating a more supportive and compassionate workplace for everyone.
For international schools, MHFA in English matters
Here’s something unique: we offer MHFA training in English, designed specifically for international schools in Germany and across Europe.
Whether you're in a bilingual environment or an English-speaking school abroad, you need training that fits your context. We work with leadership teams who want to take action, not just talk about well-being, but embed it.
It’s more than a course. It’s leadership.
Mental health challenges aren’t going away. The question is whether your school is prepared.
Training your leadership team in MHFA is one of the most practical, powerful things you can do to protect your school community. It shows that well-being matters. That people matter. And that your school is committed to leading by example.
Staff that feel seen and supported stay longer, perform better, and contribute to a more resilient school.
Ready to start?
We’d love to help.
At letsbe-real.eu, we deliver MHFA training in English for schools across Germany and Europe, online and in-person. The training is evidence-based, internationally recognised, and tailored for school environments.
👉 Get in touch to learn more or book a session.
