Mental Health First Aid

Just as CPR helps you assist someone having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid teaches you to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. This evidence-based training, administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, equips you with the skills to provide initial support and connect people to appropriate professional help.

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What You'll Learn

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour certification course that teaches participants to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. Through interactive scenarios, videos, and skill-building activities, you'll learn:

 

Core Skills:

• How to recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, and substance use disorders

• A 5-step action plan for providing initial support during both crisis and non-crisis situations

• Strategies for interacting with someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis

• How to connect individuals to appropriate professional care and resources

• Expanded content on trauma, substance use, and self-care for First Aiders

 

Course Format: Mental Health First Aid combines self-paced learning with interactive instruction. Participants complete approximately 2 hours of online content independently, followed by a 6.5-hour instructor-led session (available in-person or virtually). Upon completing the course and passing the post-assessment, participants receive a 3-year national certification from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

 

Who Should Take This Course: Mental Health First Aid is designed for anyone who wants to be prepared to help someone experiencing a mental health challenge. This training is particularly valuable for educators, healthcare workers, first responders, HR professionals, faith leaders, community volunteers, family members, and anyone who regularly interacts with others in their personal or professional life.

 

More than 4.5 million people across the United States have been certified as Mental Health First Aiders. Whether you're supporting colleagues, students, congregation members, or loved ones, this training gives you the confidence and competence to respond with compassion when someone needs help.

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Classes are offered on a rotating schedule. Complete the contact form below to be notified when the next class opens for registration.