Certification Process

You must be certified by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) USA to teach any Mental Health First Aid course. Certification is achieved through a 3-day interactive training. Only individuals – not organizations – can receive Instructor certification.

Mental Health First Aid Instructor trainings may be public or private. Large groups (six or more Instructor candidates) can arrange for private, onsite training. Public and private courses provide access to the same training, certification and resources.

teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Applicants

Before you apply for a teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Instructor training, your school or youth-serving organization must be an approved tMHFA Site. Individual Instructor candidates are not eligible to apply apart from an approved tMHFA site. If you have a school or organization in mind, please complete the interest form. After the school or organization becomes an approved tMHFA Site, Instructor candidates can apply to attend a 3-day tMHFA Instructor training.

Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor Applicants – Missouri and Maryland Residents

If you are a resident of Missouri, please visit our state partner’s website to apply for their in-state Instructor trainings. Open only to Missouri residents: Apply for Missouri Instructor Training. If you are a resident of Maryland, please visit their website to apply for their in-state Instructor trainings. Open only to Maryland residents: Apply for Maryland Instructor Training.

What You Learn

The training teaches you how to:

• Teach the Mental Health First Aid course, including the 5-step ALGEE Action Plan, evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies and prevalence data.
• Present the program with fidelity to the tested core model.
• Apply the program to a range of adult learning styles.
• Tailor presentations to diverse audiences and learning environments.
• Module-specific courses include population-focused information.

Dual Certification in the Adult and Youth Curriculum

If you want to teach both Youth and Adult courses, you must first be a certified Instructor for either Youth or Adult training and teach at least one course in your core curriculum. You can then apply to become certified in the second curriculum. Once accepted, you can attend an in-person or remote 3-day Instructor training.

Training Cost

Please review this table for Instructor training course pricing.

Is your organization a member of the National Council? As part of your membership we offer discounted pricing. Interested in becoming a member? Learn more.

* If the organization is located in CT, HI, NM, SD or WV, state sales tax will apply.
**Existing Instructor course attendees must be certified in one MHFA curriculum type and seeking dual certification in the other (Adult/Youth).

Tuition includes:

• Instructor-led training presented by our National Trainers
• Training materials
• Access to learning management system for pre- and post-work
• Lunch during the training (in-person trainings only)
• Full suite of Instructor support
  • Access to exclusive webinars and online learning
  • Access to Client Support Team for programmatic questions once certified
  • Technical assistance once certified
  • Professional development opportunities

Payment guidelines are provided when your application is accepted for a particular program (Youth or Adult). Payment is not required at the time of application, but is required to reserve your spot in a training session once your application has been accepted.

In-person Training Format

• Courses typically run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day.
• Participants will complete approximately 8 hours of pre-work before the first day of training. Pre-work includes an online course that guides you through a series of MHFA modeling videos. This is a self-paced assignment that you can complete at your leisure prior to the course. You will receive access once you are fully registered for the course.
• Each Instructor candidate will present and teach an assigned portion of the 8-hour course to the group.
• Each Instructor candidate will provide a peer review for their colleagues.
• National Trainers will conduct an individual evaluation of and provide feedback to each candidate.

Virtual Training Format

• Participants will complete approximately 8 hours of pre-work before the first day of training. Pre-work includes an online course that guides you through a series of MHFA modeling videos. This is a self-paced assignment that you can complete at your leisure prior to the course. You will receive access once you are fully registered for the course.
• Participants will order necessary materials for the course once registration has been confirmed. There will be no additional charges for course materials.
• The online course will last 3 consecutive days, typically running from 9 a.m- 5 p.m. each day. This is a live, interactive course taught by MHFA National Trainers. A full agenda will be provided once your registration is confirmed.
• Participants will complete approximately 2 hours of post-work after the live training. Post-work includes tips for teaching virtually and an overview of the platform with a brief test. Only after all post-work has been completed will the candidate receive full instructor credentials and a certificate.

Virtual Training IT Requirements

• Computer: Windows, Apple desktop or laptop computer OR tablet with iOS, Android or Windows. Due to compatibility issues with Zoom we DO NOT recommend using a Chromebook for the live training sessions.
• Computer microphone and speakers
  • For the best experience, join the course from a tablet, laptop or desktop computer. Joining via the Zoom mobile app is prohibited due to its limited abilities.
  • If your computer does not have a microphone and speakers, you can use the dial-in option from your phone for audio.
• Internal or external HD webcam
• Internet Connection
  • We recommend an internet connection speed of at least 5 mbps (upload and download). You can test your internet speed at https://www.speedtest.net/

The course will be hosted through Zoom. We will provide a how-to guide for those unfamiliar with the platform.

Certification is not guaranteed for all participants. To become certified, participants must complete all online course work, be present for the entire training, satisfactorily deliver the presentation and pass a written exam.

Apply for a Training

No specific academic or professional credentials are required for Instructor applicants. However, candidates should have knowledge of or experience with mental health problems (personally, professionally or both), prior experience in training adult learners and a commitment and strategic plan to roll out Mental Health First Aid in the community.

Applications are automatically scored and if successfully completed, you will have the opportunity to self-register in any upcoming training with availability.

Questions about the certification process? Email MHFAApplications@TheNationalCouncil.org.