What is Mental Health First Aid?
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 8-hour national certification course that 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. 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.