Mental Health First Aid Fact Sheet
Download Mental Health First Aid Fact Sheet
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.
For additional information about Mental Health First Aid - see our About Mental Health First Aid Page
Duration
12 hours in-person class over two days or
8 hours Blended virtual class (two 3-hour sessions) with a two-hour online prerequisite.
Please contact us for details or to schedule a class for your team.
Instructor
Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Prerequisite
Minimum age 18 years.
Course Content
The course addresses four of the most common and most stigmatized mental health disorders and includes signs/symptoms, risk factors, and crisis first aid for specific situations:
- Substance-Related Disorders
- Crisis First Aid for Overdose
- Mood-Related Disorders
- Crisis First Aid for Suicidal Behaviour
- Anxiety and Trauma-related Disorders
- Crisis First Aid for Panic Attack
- Crisis First Aid for Acute Stress Reaction
- Psychotic Disorders
- Crisis First Aid for Psychotic Episode
Additional sections are included in specific courses:
- Self-Injury Behaviour (Adults who Interact with Youth, Northern, and Inuit courses)
- Eating Disorders (Adults who Interact with Youth)
- Delirium (Seniors)
- Dementia (Seniors)
MHFA does not teach participants to become therapists or counsellors. Rather, it provides the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that allow someone to offer effective first aid intervention.
Participant Materials
- Mental Health First Aid manual
- Participation certificate.
Frequently asked questions about Mental Health First Aid
For general questions about certifications, payments, etc. See our comprehensive FAQ page.