Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an international evidence-based certification course that takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving your understanding and providing you with an action plan to help you safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.
Gain 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. Upon successful completion, you will earn a 3-year certification as a Mental Health First Aider.
When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need. Mental Health First Aiders are a vital link between someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge and appropriate supports.
Course Topics:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental illness
- Common signs and symptoms of substance use
- How to interact with a person in crisis
- How to connect the person with help
- NEW: Expanded content on trauma, addiction, and self-care
Who Should Attend:
- Employers, managers, and supervisors
- Professionals and employees in any industry
- Public safety and first responders
- Educators, staff, and parents
- Healthcare professionals
- Community organizations
- Anyone who cares for others
What to Expect:
Participants will complete approximately 2 hours of online pre-work (emailed two weeks before the class) and then participate in 6 hours of instructor-led training in a classroom at South Central College. Refreshments will be provided. Please bring a bag lunch.
Upon course completion, participants will earn a 3-year certification in Adult Mental Health First Aid and receive a digital/printable certificate and access to the online participant manual.
CEU Eligibility:
This course is eligible for 7.5 contact hours of continuing education credit. Attendees may use their certificate to apply for CEUs; However, it is the student's responsibility to determine whether this activity meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education in their industry.
This activity has been designed to meet the Minnesota Board of Nursing continuing education requirements, and many Minnesota teachers have used this training to satisfy their suicide prevention training/CEU requirements.
Pre-requisites:
- Participants must be 18 years or older per Mental Health First Aid guidelines.
- Participants must complete the 2 hours of online pre-work before the course start date.
Please provide a valid personal email address and phone number for each participant when registering to ensure students receive the pre-work information on time.
