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.
The training teaches you how to:
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.
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.
Course | Programs | Delivery Option | Member or Non Member | Price* |
---|---|---|---|---|
New Instructor | 3-day Adult/ Youth | In-Person or Virtual | Member | $2,000 |
New Instructor | 3-day Adult/ Youth | In-person or Virtual | Non-Member | $2,200 |
4 Day Course with Module | 4-day Adult + Module | In-person | Member | $2,750 |
4 Day Course with Module | 4-day Adult + Module | In-person | Non-Member | $3,000 |
Existing Instructor** Tuition | 3-day Adult/ Youth | In-person or Virtual | Member | $1,800 |
Existing Instructor** Tuition | 3-day Adult/ Youth | In-person or Virtual | Non Member | $2,000 |
* 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:
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.
Virtual Training IT Requirements
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.
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.