Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness.

How many days does it take to complete the Mental Health First Aid program?

The Mental Health First Aid program runs 12 hours and may be offered in a variety of formats. Most often, it is conducted as one two-day seminar, two one-day events spaced over a short period of time, or as four 3-hour sessions.

What do Mental Health First Aid training participants learn?

Just as CPR training helps a layperson with no clinical training assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps a layperson assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis, such as contemplating suicide. In both situations, the goal is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn a single 5-step strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help and other supports. Participants are also introduced to risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance use problems, engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families; and learn about evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.

What types of crisis interventions are covered?

Trainees are taught how to apply the 5-step strategy in a variety of situations, such as helping someone through a panic attack, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, or assisting an individual who has overdosed. An important component of the Mental Health First Aid training is the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy rather than to just learn about it. This simple experience can make it easier to actually apply the knowledge in a real-life situation. More on these strategies.

Where did Mental Health First Aid start?

Mental Health First Aid was created in Australia in 2001 by Professor Tony Jorm, a respected mental health literacy professor, and Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education. The program is auspiced at the ORYGEN Research Center at the University of Melbourne, Australia. (www.mhfa.com.au)

Who should take a Mental Health First Aid course?

Mental Health First Aid is intended for a variety of audiences: friends and family of individuals with mental illness or addiction, key professionals (such as police officers, human resource directors and primary care workers), school and college leadership, faith communities, or anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and addiction. The training venues will also vary as Mental Health First Aid program sites reach out to Chambers of Commerce, professional associations, hospitals, nursing homes, Rotary Clubs, parent organizations, social clubs and other groups who make up the fabric of a community. The core program is tailored for response to the general adult population.

Is there evidence to support the effectiveness of the program?

Yes, in fact, the strong evidence base is the very reason the National Council selected this particular program. Five published studies in Australia show that the program saves lives, improves the mental health of the individual administering care and the one receiving it, expands knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, increases the services provided and reduces overall stigma by improving mental health literacy. One trial of 301 randomized participants found that those who trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. Unexpectedly, the study also found that Mental Health First Aid improved the mental health of the participants themselves.

For further evidence supporting the implementation of Mental Health First Aid, please see the Evaluation section of the Australian Mental Health First Aid website: http://www.mhfa.com.au/evaluation.shtml

Have consumers of mental health or addictions services contributed to the development of Mental Health First Aid?

Yes. In fact, one of the original founders of the program in Australia is a consumer. Here in the United States, the National Council continually consults with mental health consumers to ensure the program content accurately reflects consumer experiences and perspectives. Consumers have maintained an active voice in focus groups, aided development of the training manual, and offered invaluable feedback on the program content itself. Additionally, a number of our certified instructors are mental health consumers themselves.

Has Mental Health First Aid been replicated in other countries?

Yes. To date, it has been replicated in Cambodia, Canada, England, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Wales in addition to the United States.

How do I find a Mental Health First Aid course near me?

Search our database for up and coming courses near you here.

How can I learn more about Mental Health First Aid?

For additional information, please email Susan Partain at the National Council. You can also reach us by phone: 202-684-7457 x232.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID – USA

What role is the MHFA-USA collaborative playing in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the U.S.?

The Missouri Department of Mental Health, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the National Council lead the roll out of Mental Health First Aid in the U.S., which involves organizing the instructor training sessions, providing technical assistance to the instructors nationwide, and adapting the program manual and materials for U.S. audiences. In addition to the program development and support in the U.S., the collaborative works with the founders and other adapted programs to share best practices and evaluation.

What is the collaborative’s long-term vision for Mental Health First Aid?

In the next ten years, we hope that Mental Health First Aid will become as common as CPR and First Aid training. Mental Health First Aid has the potential to reduce stigma, improve mental health literacy, and empower individuals, the benefits are limitless!

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

How can I bring Mental Health First Aid to my community?

If your organization would like to bring Mental Health First Aid to your community, consider sending staff to one of our instructor certification programs. To learn more about our instructor certification program, please visit our become an instructor section for a description of the training, the national training schedule, and the program application. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Susan Partain. She can be reached by email or by phone: 202-684-7457 ext. 232.

Do I have to be a member of the National Council to participate in Mental Health First Aid?

National Council member organizations are natural partners to roll out Mental Health First Aid in communities across the country. However, each community brings a unique set of needs and circumstances in engaging the program to their area, so we do not require National Council membership in order to participate in the program. Spreading Mental Health First Aid is going to rely on partnerships with both member and nonmember provider, consumer and advocacy organizations.

State and county mental health authorities, consumer organizations and advocacy groups are potential Mental Health First Aid partners and represent a large number of instructors.

Who are the instructors?

All instructors obtain certification to conduct the 12-hour program by completing one of our five-day instructor certification programs available throughout the year. Most often, instructors will be staff from behavioral health provider organizations, local/state mental health authorities, or mental health/addictions advocacy organizations. In some cases, the organization may tap partner organizations or identify volunteer leaders to conduct the programs. In all cases, instructors must meet general criteria around knowledge of mental health/addictions and posses the ability to communicate and transfer knowledge effectively. Learn more about becoming an instructor.

How often will the collaborative offer Instructor Certification Programs?

We expect to host 4-6 national trainings each year, with partner organizations hosting several additional regional trainings throughout the country. If your organization should wish to host a training, we will work to accommodate your schedule pursuant to the national training schedule.

Which organizations have certified Instructors and run the Mental Health First Aid program?

Our website features a searchable database of all of our active training locations and their certified instructors. To find an instructor near you, please visit our Find an Instructor page.

Once I am certified as a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, can I train others to be instructors?

No, the 5-day Instructor Certification Program only qualifies participants to conduct the 12-hour course.

Will technical assistance be provided to sites that participate in the Instructor Certification Program?

Yes. MHFA-USA will provide ongoing technical assistance in program planning and implementation, marketing, funding and other core components critical to the sustainability of Mental Health First Aid in communities. In addition, we will provide trained sites with new research and updated materials, module supplements targeted to a variety of audiences and venues, and best practices from other Mental Health First Aid sites across the country and around the world. Perhaps most importantly, we are also developing evaluation processes to allow sites to benchmark and track program outcomes.