Mental Health First Aid

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based certification program, which introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health issues like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse, and addictions, and builds understanding of their impact. Similar to how CPR training helps a layperson assist an individual following a heart attack, MHFA teaches non-mental health professionals how to give first aid to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and/or who are in the early stages of a mental health disorder.

Benefits of MHFA Training

Develop skills to identify mental health challenges
Offer a distressed person basic "first-aid" level information and reassurance about mental health challenges.
Encourage a person who may be dealing with a mental health challenge to seek professional help.
Recognize and correct misconceptions about mental health, substance use and mental illness.
MHFA can address the mental health impacts. of COVID-19 trauma resulting from job losses, isolation and losses of loved ones or friends.

DID YOU KNOW 1 IN 5 AMERICANS CURRENTLY SUFFER FROM A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION?

How the Virtual Training Works

The new virtual delivery option includes a 2-hour self-paced course followed by 5-6 hours of Instructor led training delivered virtually through the National Council for Behavioral Health’s learning management system. In order to provide adequate support for the students and maintain the efficacy of the course, it will be led by two instructors and limited to 30 participants.

Who Should Attend MHFA Training

"Really gives you the skills you need to identify - and ultimately help - someone in need. Because you never know when these kinds of skills might be useful..."

Former First Lady

Michelle Obama Certified in MHFA