Mental Health First Aid
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an early intervention public education program. It teaches how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.
Mental Health First Aid is taught in a live, synchronous session (5-6 hours) held in-person or virtually. Participants also complete 2 hours of self-guided pre-work prior to the live session. The course is designed to teach people how to approach, assess, and assist a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or in a mental health crisis.
Course objectives include:
- Identifying the impact of mental health challenges on the well-being of American adults.
- Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges that may impact adults.
- Applying the MHFA Action Plan when a person shows early signs of a mental health challenge.
- Applying the MHFA Action Plan when a person shows worsening signs of a mental health challenge.
- Applying the MHFA Action Plan to a crisis scenario where a person shows signs of a mental health crisis.
- Choosing appropriate methods for self-care following the application of MHFA in a crisis or non-crisis situation.