Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program that teaches people how to recognize the signs of mental health and substance use challenges, offer initial support, and connect someone to appropriate help — much like CPR or first aid training does for physical health emergencies. 

Trainings focus on adults 18+ and youth ages 6 to 18. Participants learn:

• How to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges by noticing changes in appearance, behavior, thoughts and feelings 

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use challenges; 

• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, substance use, and other youth-related disorders

• A 5-step Action Plan to help someone developing a mental health or substance use challenge. 

• Available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help resources.

Participants receive a certificate of completion valid for 3-years and the training can satisfy compliance, CEU, or HR training requirements.  IMH provides a renewal opportunity for interested participants after 3-years.

Studies show that MHFA training reduces stigma, improves knowledge and increases first aid actions toward people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. More than 5 million people nationwide have already been certified in Mental Health First Aid. 

Nearly 20% of Americans annually experience a clinically diagnoseable mental illness, less than half seek help or don’t know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges can be difficult to see. Co-workers, friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.

From a business and workplace perspective:

• Depression alone causes an average productivity dip of 30% to 38%, 

• Happiness has been shown to increase productivity 47% to 51% on average. 

• People who struggle with their mental health have 13% more unplanned missed workdays

• 35% of employees across America say their jobs have a negative effect on their mental health.

Your team, organization, or department will gain real, practical skills for recognizing and responding to mental health challenges. Organizations that create space for people to talk about a historically taboo topic openly see measurable gains in engagement and productivity. Left unaddressed, struggles with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges quietly drain energy, focus, and retention. 

Training staff to recognize and respond to these challenges — in themselves and each other — builds a culture where people feel safe being seen and heard, which pays off in performance and in retention. 

MHFA courses also meet the needs of specific communities, including adults helping youth, teens helping their friends, military, public safety, fire and EMS, older adults, higher education, rural communities and indigenous youth.

• Gather the people to train 

• Coordinate a date and time with us (training runs 7-hours, delivered in a single day or across two half-day sessions) 

• For in-person trainings, provide a space that comfortably fits your group

• For both virtual and in-person trainings (we facilitate both), provide access to WIFI/projector

Staff, clients, employees, members, and the public are all welcome. Just as CPR training prepares people to respond to a physical emergency, MHFA prepares people to recognize when someone may be experiencing a mental health crisis or showing signs of distress — and to respond with confidence. Anyone who wants to better understand mental health, their own or others', is invited to participate.

InvestInMentalHealth.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide low-cost Mental Health First Aid training that empowers communities, reduces stigma, and supports early intervention for mental health challenges. We keep our costs as low as possible so we can reach more people.

• Minimum: 6 to 15 participants: $1,000 to $1,200. This includes the trainer, all training materials, and access to post-training skills-building meetings.

• Maximum: 16 to 30 participants: $1,500 to $2,500. Larger groups require two instructors and additional training manuals, which is reflected in the cost

• Smaller nonprofits, community groups, or under-resourced departments can be eligible for free training or can negotiate a fee that fits their needs and abilities.

• Instruction from a certified and seasoned MHFA-instructor, many with lived experience or relevant teaching or clinical training.

• A 48-page Participation Processing Guide that provide all the content learned in the in-person or virtual workshops

• A 286-page Youth or 234-page Adult Manual (online or hardcopy) with details about several mental health disorders, and what to do when individuals are experiencing early, worsening and crisis signs. 

• Certificate recognized nationwide

Contact Lou@InvestInMentalHealth.org