Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for men​tal health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

Topics Covered

Depression and mood disorders

Anxiety disorders

Trauma

Psychosis

Substance Use disorders

Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – 

the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.

MHFA Certification, which must be renewed every three years, teaches participants to:

• ​Identify the impact of mental health challenges on the well-being of adults in the U.S.
• Explain that recovery from a mental health challenge is possible.
• 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.
• Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of Mental Health First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation

The Mental Health First Aid Action Plan:

Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen non judgmentally

Give reassurance and Information

Encourage appropriate professional help

Encourage self-help and other support strategies