Have you ever noticed a friend or family member become more distant? Or leaning on alcohol to cope? While talking about mental health challenges has become more normalized, it can be hard to know what to do or say when a friend, family member or colleague seems to be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. How can you help them?

Mental Health First Aid training gives you the skills and knowledge to help someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis. You’ll learn early intervention skills and apply them to real-life situations, so you can spot signs that someone might be struggling and get them the support they need. Your actions as a Mental Health First Aider help create a healthier, more supportive community.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is a course where you learn to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they connect with appropriate professional help.

This evidence-based, early-intervention course uses community-specific scenarios, activities and videos to help you be prepared to provide support to those in need in your community. You’ll learn the 5-step MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE), which includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the person in need, and identifying appropriate professional help and other support.

Mental Health First Aiders do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. You’re the first line of support, lending a listening ear and helping people get to the professional help they need.

Adults can get certified to help other adults (Adult Mental Health First Aid) or youth (Youth Mental Health First Aid). teen Mental Health First Aid teaches young people in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18) to connect their peers to a trusted adult when needed. There are also courses tailored to specific communities’ needs:

• Corrections Professionals
• Fire/EMS
• Higher Education
• Military, Veterans and Their Families
• Older Adults
• Public Safety
• Rural Communities
• Spanish-speaking Communities (Adult, Youth and teen)
• Tribal Communities and Indigenous Peoples (Youth only)

There is also MHFA at Work, which offers workplace mental health education for supporting teams, including tailored curricula for some industries:

• Manufacturing
• Restaurants
• Retail

Learners can attend a day-long Mental Health Frist Aid training in person. There’s also a blended version, where you complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course, then attend a half-day training in person or online.

Mental Health First Aid courses are always led by a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and include engaging discussions, exercises and activities to practice helping skills.

Four reasons to become a Mental Health First Aider:

• Mental health issues are common: 1 in 5 adults in America in any given year suffer from a mental health challenge.
• You can help: People experiencing mental health challenges often feel alone. You’ll know ways to get a friend, neighbor or colleague the support they need.
• Be prepared: Know what to do when a mental health crisis happens.
• You care: Be there for friends, family and colleagues when they need you.

Join over 4 million Mental Health First Aiders in making mental wellbeing a reality for all. Find a course in your area and become a Mental Health First Aider today.