This eight-hour course utilizes role play, scenarios, and activities to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care.

MHFA takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.

Currently, there are three specific trainings offered:

• Mental Health First Aid for Adults - This focuses on mental health issues in adults. (view flier)

• Youth Mental Health First Aid - For adults assisting youth and adolescents. (view flier)

• Primeros Auxilios Para La Salud Mental - Mental Health First Aid for Spanish Speakers (view flier)

There are three options for attending this training, which can be scheduled for a single day or split into two 4-hour days:

• In-person – Learners receive their training during a 7.5-hour, Instructor-led, in-person session (plus breaks and lunch). 

• Blended – Learners complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course, and participate in a 4.5- to 5.5-hour, Instructor-led training (plus breaks and lunch)

This Instructor-led Training can be:

• A video conference.

• An in-person class.

All three trainings are offered by GetSomeJoy’s Community Wellness Team.

Benefits of Mental Health First Aid training

Mental Health First Aid certification, which must be renewed every three years, provides trainees with the ability to:

• Recognize the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury.
• Use a 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.
• Interpret the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced negative attitudes in their communities.
• Apply knowledge of the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem treat and manage the problem and achieve recovery.

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid is for everyone.