Mental Health First Aid Certification

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing designed to provide participants with the skills to identify, de-stigmatize, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorder, enabling those trained to offer immediate, concrete support. 

People who enroll in MHFA learn a 5-step action plan to help loved ones, colleagues, neighbors and others cope with mental health or substance use problems.

  • Similar to traditional First Aid and CPR, MHFA is help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis until professional treatment is obtained or the crisis resolves.

  • MHFA is an evidence-based public education and prevention tool – it improves the public’s knowledge of mental health and substance use problems and connects people with care for their mental health or substance use problems.

Why become a First Aider?

First aiders care about the mental health of their family, friends, coworkers, and community members.

  • Gain Empathy

  • Support Others

  • Be a Role Model

  • Prevent Crises

Who can be First Aider?

Anyone 18 and older who has successfully completed a MHFA training becomes a First Aider.

  • Family and Friends

  • Educators

  • Public Safety Workers

  • General Public

  • Anyone!

Three Ways to Learn

  • In-person – Learners receive their training during a 7-9 hour (over 2 days), Instructor-led, in-person session.

  • Blended – Learners complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course, and participate in a 5-7 hour (over 1 or 2 days), Instructor-led training. This Instructor-led training can be:

    • A zoom video conference.

    • An in-person class.

Participants Will Gain:

  • Recognition Tools: Skills to identify early signs of declining mental well-being.

  • Communication Skills: Confidence to openly discuss mental health with others.

  • Support Knowledge: Understanding of professional and other support options that can aid in recovery or well-being improvement.

  • Confidence to Act: Empowerment to reach out to appropriate supports when needed.

  • Crisis Intervention: Practical tools to assist during mental health or substance use crises.

  • Self-Care Strategies: Knowledge of actions to sustain and enhance their own mental wellness.

Register Now

The Mental Health Association offers certification trainings in both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Whether you're interested in supporting adults or youth, these courses equip you with the skills to respond to mental health challenges and crises effectively. The cost for each training is $129. We offer partial need-based scholarships to ensure accessibility for all participants.

For more details or to inquire about scholarships, please reach out to Melanie Little at mlittle@mhaedu.org.

Check below for our upcoming training sessions.

Adult Mental Health
First Aid: In-Person

November 18th and 19th, 2024

  • Adult MHFA certification is geared towards adults who work with or provide assistance to adults who may be struggling with a mental health crisis or in the onset of a mental illness.

  • Fully In-Person

  • November 18th & 19th, 9:30am-3pm (Includes 1 hour lunch break & 1 mid-morning break)

  • MHA Outreach and Education Training Center, 171 E State St, Suite 0230, Ithaca, NY 14850

  • $129

Youth Mental Health
First Aid: Online

October 21st and 22nd, 2024

  • Youth MHFA certification is geared towards adults who work with or provide assistance to youth age 12-18 who may be struggling with a mental health crisis or in the onset of a mental illness.

  • Fully Online

  • October 21st: 1pm-4pm
    October 22nd: 2pm-4pm

  • MHA Outreach and Education Training Center, 171 E State St, Suite 0230, Ithaca, NY 14850

  • $129

Mental Health First Aid FAQs

  • Once you have signed up for a course, your instructor will reach out to you with a link to connect and instructions on how to access everything. You will need to reset your password upon first logging in.

  • The course progress is for the entire course, including prework, instruction day, and post work. If your prework is done and you see 69% you are fully ready for your in-person training!Description text goes here

  • No, unfortunately if you are unable to attend we are not allowed to certify you as a Mental Health First Aider.

  • MHFA should not be considered a replacement for professional help. MHFA is designed to support an individual in need of help until appropriate professional help arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn the 5-step MHFA Action Plan known as ALGEE, which includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help, which may include licensed counselors, primary care physicians, social workers or psychiatrists.

  • Item descriptionHFA does not force people to self-disclose mental health or substance use challenges. Instead, MHFA can help lessen a person’s fear and hesitation about starting conversations with others about mental health and substance use. A typical course shows individuals how to recognize the signs of a problem and gives them the tools and language to help.

  • Item descriptionYes, there is strong evidence of outcomes. Mental Health First Aid USA is listed in the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.

    Visit the Mental Health First Aid USA website for more information.