Mental Health First Aid

Identify. Understand. Respond.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues.

MHFA is an 8-hour, certification training that teaches how to:

  • Recognize risk factors/warning signs of mental health challenges

  • Understand the importance of early intervention

  • Get skills and tools to connect with mental health professionals and offer support strategies.

All participants receive a 3-year certification from training date.

MHFA is a program of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. It was brought to the United States in 2008 with the aim to make it as common as physical First Aid and CPR. Updated curricula for Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid were released in 2020. MHFA courses are available in online and in person.

Trainings Offered

  • Adult Mental Health First Aid: teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. This course is designed for the anyone.

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid: teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. This course is designed for parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring adults.

  • Teen Mental Health First Aid: teaches teens in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers. This course is designed for high school youth.

  • Mental Health First Aid for target populations

    • Higher Education: This training — which focuses on the unique experiences and needs of college students — gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

    • Public Safety: This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. It focuses on the unique experiences and needs of public safety personnel and is a valuable resource that can make a difference in their lives, their coworkers’ and families’ lives, and the communities they serve.

    • EMS/Fire: This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. It focuses on the unique experiences and needs of firefighters and EMS personnel and is a valuable resource that can make a difference in their lives, their coworkers’ and families’ lives, and the communities they serve.

    • Veterans: This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care.

Learners can receive their training during a 6-hour (either full day or two 1/2 days), instructor-led, in-person session

Alliance for Prevention and Wellness has been awarded the Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Interested in Hosting a Training? Send us an email if you would like to learn more about MHFA and bring this training to your organization or community.