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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 12-hour course that teaches people how to give first aid to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis situation and/or who are in the early stages of a mental health disorder. The aid provided is not a substitute for professional help, but may help in stabilizing the person until appropriate professional or other assistance (including peer and family support) can be engaged.
The participants learn the signs and symptoms of the most common mental health problems, where and when to get help, and what type of help has been shown to be effective, by using the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan, abbreviated as ALGEE:
• Assess risk of suicide or harm
• Listen non-judgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
• Encourage self–help and other support strategies from peers, family members, and friends.
Certified MHFA/USA Instructors deliver the 12-hour course, which can be scheduled flexibly. These Instructors have successfully completed an intensive, authorized five-day training course to become accredited MHFA/USA Instructors. The curriculum is interactive and class size is generally limited to 20-22 participants to maintain a quality experience. For a list of MHFA trainers, please click here.
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