In Your Community: Become an Instructor
Mental Health First Aid USA is managed, operated, and disseminated by three national authorities – the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Only the national authorities can train and certify instructors to teach the 12-hour Mental Health First Aid USA course in local communities.
How You Can Obtain Instructor Certification
What to Expect at the Instructor Training Course
Upcoming Instructor Training Programs
Instructor Training Application Form
Mental Health First Aid Community Roll Out
Audiences for the Mental Health First Aid 12-hour Course
What Does it Mean to Be an Instructor of Mental Health First Aid USA?
MHFA-USA Instructors are on the frontlines of the program and the key link to members of the public receiving Mental Health First Aid training. Instructors must be committed to disseminating Mental Health First Aid in their communities. Instructors also must be confident teachers, with the ability to accurately and effectively transfer knowledge, information, and resources and to communicate with learners to motivate, engage, and encourage empathy. Only individuals who have been awarded certification may be designated MHFA-USA Instructors.
How You Can Obtain Instructor Certification
Individuals are required to complete a 5-day Instructor Training Program offered by the national authorities to obtain instructor certification. The interactive training program includes a written exam and evaluates each candidate’s ability to present the 12-hour Mental Health First Aid program to a variety of audiences.
To speed program implementation and support long-term sustainability, we recommend that you certify at least two instructors from your organization. In reviewing applications for instructor training, the national authorities will focus on candidates’ knowledge of or experience with mental health issues, prior experience in training adult learners, and commitment and capability to roll out Mental Health First Aid in the community if certified. No specific academic or professional credentials are required for instructor applicants.
Mental Health First Aid USA has trained and certified instructors from community mental health and addictions treatment organizations, state departments of health, universities, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, faith-based organizations, police & criminal justice, developmental disability centers, mental health authorities, other mental health advocacy organizations including MHA and NAMI affiliates, and independent trainers. Qualified instructors may come from all levels of an organization – including CEOs and front-line staff – but should be whomever will be the best advocate for the program in your area.
Thinking about attending a course? You can search for an upcoming Mental Health First Aid course near you here.
What to Expect at the Instructor Training Course
Instructor certification is a five day (32 hour) course that introduces the interactive 12-hour program, overviews adult learning styles and teaching strategies, and provides in-depth instruction on implementing and managing the program in diverse communities. Instructors must demonstrate mastery of the program through a written test and an evaluated presentation.
Certified instructors completing the five day course will learn:
- to teach the Mental Health First Aid program, including the 5-step action plan, evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies, and prevalence data;
- to present the program with fidelity to the tested core model;
- to apply the program to a range of adult learning styles; and
- to tailor presentations to diverse audiences and learning environments
Continuing Education credits are available for the instructor course. Read more.
The MHFA Instructor training is held over five days and is taught by two authorized MHFA trainers connected to at least one of the Mental Health First Aid – USA Authorities. Courses typically run from 9am-5pm each day of the program, with dedicated time on day three for independent preparation for presentations delivered on days four and five. The first two days of the program are an interactive overview of the core 12-hour course, where instructor candidates get to see our expert trainers model the full course content. The third day reviews the background of the program, target audiences reached, marketing ideas, training tips & tricks, and expectations & privileges for instructors. Day three provides ample opportunity for the group to discuss the program & brainstorm how to best deliver and market it the course, and ask instructor-related questions. During the last two days of the training, each participant will present an assigned 40-60 minute portion of the 12-hour MHFA course to the group. Trainers will conduct an individual evaluation of each participant in addition to the peer feedback provided. Participants are expected to be active in providing peer reviews on days four and five.
Only participants who have been present for the entire 5-day training will be considered for certification as instructors. In addition to the presentation, each participant must complete and pass a written exam prior to the end of the training. Each of the above items determines whether or not an individual is granted certification to teach the 12 hour MHFA course. It is not guaranteed that all participants who attend the instructor training will achieve certification.
Upcoming Instructor Training Programs
Instructor Training Programs are available for a fee at various locations across the country. If you are interested in attending a program, you must apply to attend an instructor training. Selection criteria, course tuition, and instructor expectations are outlined within the application. Individuals applying to conduct the course independently of an established organization must also submit one letter of reference. Please see our Letter Guidelines.
Upcoming trainings include:
July 16-20, 2012: Portland, OR
September 17-21, 2012: Cincinnati, OH
For more information or to search for upcoming instructor training programs, click here.
Tuition for the instructor course is $1850 per person, and is inclusive of the five days of instruction, breakfast & lunch throughout the course, materials needed to teach the 12-hour course, and ongoing technical assistance once certified, unless otherwise noted. Payment guidelines will be provided once an application has been accepted for a particular program.
Mental Health First Aid Roll Out by Certified Instructors
Certified instructors may teach the 12-hour Mental Health First Aid to any interested audiences in their communities. Instructors undergo tight credentialing by the national authorities to guarantee strict fidelity to the core Mental Health First Aid USA program model, while also maintaining the flexibility necessary to reach their unique audience needs and direct them to local resources for help.
Instructors must teach the 12-hour course in its entirety, and maintain fidelity to the core program. Course schedule and fees may be determined by the instructors and course materials must be ordered from the national authorities. Instructors are required to provide course evaluations to the national authorities to maintain certification. The national authorities will provide ongoing technical assistance and marketing ideas/support to certified instructors to help them disseminate the 12-hour course in their communities.
Access our webinar recording and presentation on Mental Health First Aid USA Roll Out Strategies, for ideas on how you can use Mental Health First Aid in your community. More Webinars
Audiences for the 12-hour Mental Health First Aid Course
Mental Health First Aid instructors have taught the 12-hour course to various groups in their communities, including:
- Educators/School Administrators
- Human Resources Professionals
- Members of Faith Communities
- Homeless Shelter Workers
- Nurses/Physician Assistants/Primary Care Workers
- Police/First Responders/Security Personnel
- Mental Health Authorities
- Policymakers
- Substance Abuse Professionals
- Social Workers
- Consumers and Family Members
- Caring Citizens
MHFA-USA Trainers are the crucial first link in an essential chain required to maintain the quality and fidelity of the program nationally. Our Training team consists of confident teachers, each with a wealth of experience in working with adult learners, as well as passion and extensive knowledge to promote understanding of mental illness. In addition to their stellar training capabilities, our trainers bring a variety of perspectives in regards to mental health and substance use disorders – as clinicians, advocates, family members, peers, and friends.
Only the National Authorities of Mental Health First Aid USA may train and certify Trainers. The need for trainers is limited.
Questions about instructor certification and upcoming training programs? Contact Susan Partain at the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare at SusanP@thenationalcouncil.org or 202.684.3732.
