FAQ
This page answers general questions about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) USA, our mission, reach and impact.
General Information
MHFA training shows you how to support others in a mental health challenge or crisis. Through this course, you’ll learn how to recognize, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges — and offer the first level of support.
In a MHFA course, people learn how to notice signs of mental health or substance use challenges. They also learn how to give support and help someone find the right kind of care.
The course teaches the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE). This is a set of steps you can use in any order to support someone who may be going through a tough time.
The training helps take the fear or worry out of talking about mental health. When more people know how to start these conversations, more people can get the help they need.
Since the National Council for Mental Wellbeing brought MHFA to the United States in 2008, our Instructors have trained over 4.5 million First Aiders from all 50 states and U.S. territories.
MHFA certification teaches you to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. MHFA Instructor certification gives you the skills to teach others the MHFA curriculum.
You can take any of our trainings as an individual or as part of a group.
MHFA is not meant to take the place of professional help. It’s meant to give support to someone until the right kind of help is available.
In the course, people learn the 5-step MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE). This includes checking if the person is in need of help, listening with care and respect, and helping them find the right kind of professional support. This support could come from a doctor, counselor, social worker or psychiatrist.
No. MHFA can help you give the best support to someone with a substance use challenge, but it is not a substance use recovery program.
Instead, MHFA teaches you how to provide early support, called early intervention. This means spotting the warning signs of mental health or substance use challenges and taking action before things get worse.
No. Only licensed mental health professionals and qualified medical experts can diagnose someone with a mental illness. First Aiders and Instructors can notice changes in a person’s mood, behavior, energy or habits and help connect them to professional help.
No. MHFA does not force anyone to share their mental health or substance use challenges. Instead, it helps people feel less afraid or unsure about talking with others about these issues. A typical course teaches people how to spot the signs of a mental health challenge and gives them the words and skills to offer help.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or call 911 in case of emergency. A longer list of information can be found on our Mental Health Resources page.
We know parents and guardians want to understand how schools and organizations take care of their children’s mental health and wellbeing. That’s why it’s important to talk openly about Youth MHFA and teen MHFA before the course begins. We encourage schools and groups to hold information sessions and share extra resources. This way, parents and guardians can find out what a Youth or teen Mental Health First Aider does, learn how to support their children’s mental health, and have a chance to ask questions or share concerns.
Yes! MHFA USA is operated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association. With your support, we can reach even more people with MHFA and build stronger, healthier communities.
For Individuals
You can search for courses near you through our Find-a-Course tool. Then you can filter results based on the start date, course type, location, distance and Instructor name.
We hope you will use your training to help those around you who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use issue. You can also become a certified MHFA Instructor and help us on our mission to train every 1 in 15 people in the United States.
For Organizations
If you’re looking to train a team of Instructors or get your employees certified in MHFA at Work, fill out this form.
Your organization can partner with MHFA to help more people learn about mental health and reduce stigma. For a nonprofit, a business, a foundation or an agency, working with MHFA is a great way to promote mental wellbeing across the U.S.
Program History & Development
MHFA was created in Australia in 2001. It was founded by Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education, and Tony Jorm, a respected mental health literacy professor. You can learn more about the program’s history at Mental Health First Aid Australia.
The United States is just one of many countries that have adapted the program from the original Australian program. MHFA has been adapted for use in nearly 30 countries nationwide.
Research has been done on how MHFA works, what it achieves and the impact it has across the United States. Since 2013, 90 peer-reviewed studies have been published. They show that people trained in MHFA show lower stigma and greater empathy toward people with mental health challenges. They also have more confidence and likelihood to help someone in distress.
Our courses are based on research and real-life experiences. Each course follows clear guidelines made by mental health professionals, people who have faced mental health challenges and those who care for them. They provide helpful steps to support someone who may be going through a hard time.
Mission & Leadership
Mental Health First Aid USA is managed, operated, and disseminated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Missouri Department of Mental Health. The Mental Health Association of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Behavioral Health are founding partners of Mental Health First Aid USA.
We are working toward a world where everyone has the skills to help someone facing a mental health or substance use challenge. Our goal is to train every 1 in 15 people in the United States, so that everyone has a close friend they can turn to in a time of need.
