Mental Health First Aid
For Everyone. And Every One.
Empowering Organizations, Communities and Individuals to advance mental wellness
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) provides the practical knowledge and skills to support to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being, or a mental health or substance use crisis until professional help is available.
Trusted around the world
- Evidence Based
- Implemented in 26 nations world-wide
- 7 million people trained
As a Mental Health First Aider, you will develop:
Peace of Mind
You’ll be better able to help if someone around you, like a friend or coworker, is having a hard time. You’ll feel prepared and confident to step in and offer initial support.
Practical Skills
You’ll be equipped with simple, actionable steps to provide support until the person can access professional help if needed.
Easier Dialogue
It helps you handle brave conversations without feeling awkward or worried you’ll say the wrong thing.
Stronger Connections
By learning to recognize when someone may need a little extra support, you’ll become a more compassionate friend, partner, or family member, strengthening relationships and your community.
MHFA also emphasizes self-care for the first aider, helping you recognize your own limits and prioritize your well-being while supporting others. By equipping participants with practical skills and confidence, MHFA aims to contribute to a culture where mental health challenges are met with understanding and appropriate support.
Course structured for impact
Course adaptations for enhanced community impact.
For organizations, it is scalable with in-house and external facilitator training options.
Module 1
MHFA Standard
Self-paced, Online (2 hours):
Introduces participants to MHFA actions and focuses on the information and strategies participants will practice during modules 2 & 3.
Module 2
Facilitator-Led, Live (3.5 hours):
Practice applying MHFA actions to situations of declining mental well-being. Guidelines for communicating non-judgmentally and with respect.
Module 3
Facilitator-Led, Live (3.5 hours):
Practice applying MHFA action to mental health or substance use crisis situations. Strategies to respond to possible challenges. Self-care for first aider.
Key Objectives
- Recognize signs of mental health or substance use decline or problem.
- Greater empathy, and connection/ decreased stigma towards people with lived or living experience.
- Increased confidence in providing help to others.
- Improved mental well-being of MHFA participants.
Learn how to use ALGES
ALGES is a simple, and essential Action Plan that helps a Mental Health First Aider provide support until professional help is available.
- Approach the person, assess, and assist with any crisis
- Listen and communicate non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage the person to reach out to supports
- Self-care for the first aider
Details
- Flexible Options: Virtual and In-Person Options
- Time: 9 hours
- Cost: Contact us for group training rates
Mental Health First Aid Training Options
When training reflects real experiences from a community, the impact becomes even more meaningful. In addition to MHFA Standard, we offer a suite of tailored MHFA courses.
Become a Certified MHFA Facilitator
The Facilitator Certification Training is designed for people who want to offer the MHFA course in the communities, workplaces or organizations. As a Certified MHFA facilitator you will join the Opening Minds Facilitator Community that is over 1000 people strong across Canada.
Mental Health First Aid Case Studies
Learn more about how MHFA is helping to transform mental wellness in organizations across Canada.
