Your children may be excited to return to school after a long summer – or even a year of online classes. However, the new school year can come with new challenges. As a caring adult, parent or guardian, it can be difficult to know how to support children with this stressful and overwhelming transition. In a typical year, your children may face a new environment, […]
COVID-19 is impacting everyone in different ways. Children and youth may not be going to school or daycare, can’t see their friends on a regular basis, and might not be able to even play outside. Kids sometimes do not know how to communicate changes in feeling and emotion, making it vital that parents and caregivers pay close attention to their behavior and words for any […]
Atrium Health employs more than 70,000 people in more than 1,400 care locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. They have nearly 8,000 licensed beds and has almost 15 million patient interactions annually. Atrium Health started Mental Health First Aid training in 2014 and has trained 15,000 Mental Health First Aiders as of November 2019 in the communities they serve. Investing in Mental Health […]
Texas invests $8 billion biennially at the state level through general revenue, Medicaid, and local and federal dollars to increase access to behavioral health services provided by multiple agencies across the entire state. Providing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to state employees — particularly those in public school districts — is an integral part of these efforts. Since their 2014 fiscal year, Texas has trained […]
The annual MHFA Impact Awards celebrate individuals and groups that are true leaders in changing the conversation surrounding mental health.
Did you know? One in five people in the U.S. — that’s approximately 43.8 million people — experiences a mental health challenge in any given year. This means that someone you know may be struggling right now. Since 2008, we have taught more than 4 million people how to help others in need and take care of their own mental wellbeing through Mental Health First […]
September is National Recovery Month 2024 — a time to honor the resilience of those who have faced mental health and substance use challenges.
In 2022, nearly 49,476 people in the U.S. died by suicide — an average of one person every 11 minutes — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. And for every suicide death, the CDC says, 275 people seriously entertained thoughts of […]
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2024) – In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in St. Louis on April 14, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Humana Foundation, WestCare Foundation and four MHFA Instructors and Coordinators for their significant efforts in expanding MHFA’s reach in their local communities and beyond. […]
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in the News: Read the latest articles and announcements on MHFA — from the program’s impact on the wellbeing of workplaces, schools, and communities around the country. To get in touch with our Public Relations team for your coverage, please contact Irene Tung at IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org. How to Support Young Adults Struggling With Mental HealthApril 25, 2025 Read more > Mental […]
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing today announced a new training program to help employers reduce the negative impact of workplace fatigue and stress among employees.
Becoming a Mental Health First Aider was a turning point in Brianna Hauser’s life. Her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence shaped her perspective on the importance of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and fueled her determination to help others. At first, she didn’t know where to start, but her journey to #BeTheDifference began when her organization offered Youth MHFA. Overcoming Adversity and Embracing […]
Content Warning: This blog contains sensitive content that may be distressing to some readers. Topics discussed include sexual assault, grief, and references to 9/11. Reader discretion is advised. If you find these subjects distressing or uncomfortable, we encourage you to prioritize your wellbeing and consider avoiding this content. Mental Health First Aider Miosotys Santiago survived the 9/11 attacks in New York, narrowly escaping Tower […]
Life has a rhythm. Some seasons are busier than others, some are quieter and more predictable. Workloads ebb and flow. Relationships evolve. And then there are the curveballs thrown our way. Our lives change no matter what, and that change can be hard. But adjusting how we look at change can improve our attitude. Instead of dreading or avoiding it, expect it, account for it […]
My district has over 8,000 employees, so you can imagine it was a lot of work to meet the goal of training 80% of them in Youth Mental Health First Aid in one year. But it was 100% worth it. After every training, I would hear from teachers how grateful they were for the opportunity. The training really opened the doors for bigger conversations about […]
Adults often joke about the moodiness and unpredictable nature of teenagers. As teens go through puberty, spend more time with friends and less with family and discover their own identities, the shifts don’t come easy — for them or their families. But, as a parent or guardian, when should you be concerned about your teen’s mental wellbeing? How can you determine if your child is […]
Our nation has a youth mental health crisis. One in six youth and adolescents will experience a mental health condition in any given time, nearly half of teens (44%) report feeling persistently sad and hopeless and 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14. Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive approach. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is just one piece in a larger effort […]
I always thought I knew the best way to have a conversation with people. I have three kids, so I thought I knew how to communicate well. But in 2017, after a colleague and I attended a Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) training. We looked at each other halfway through the training and said, “We need to bring this invaluable training to our […]
I work at an alternative school for middle and high school students. To say my training in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is helpful would be an understatement. It’s so useful, in fact, that I’ve taken the training twice — I liked it so much the first time, I wanted to make sure I thoroughly understood the program. One of my main takeaways from […]
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2023) – In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in Los Angeles, California, on April 30, 2023, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized Rare Beauty, California State University, Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio, Yulanda Prude, Marisa Vicere, Michael Rhinehart and Stephanie Hartman for their outstanding […]
