Mental Health First Aid is a 6-hour, skills-based, experiential and evidence-based practice. This virtual course requires 2-hours of verified pre-work before starting the 4-hour virtual instructor lead training (VILT). This interactive course trains laypersons to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of the most common mental health conditions and how to help someone through a proven action plan.

Mental Health First Aid is included on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). Peer-reviewed studies show that trained participants experience:

• 67% increase in their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health conditions and substance use challenges. Participants show increased mental health wellness themselves.
• 56% increase in their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress.
• 47% increase in their ability to identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources to connect a distressed person with.

Performance Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen non-judgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Competencies covered in this course: Health and Safety

Intended Audience: Public sector employees.