Mental Health First Aid: Why It MattersJust like we know what to do if someone has a heart attack—starting CPR or calling 9-1-1—it’s crucial to know how to help if someone is having a panic attack or struggling with mental health issues like anxiety or substance use.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) helps remove the uncertainty and fear around talking about mental health and substance use problems. It gives you a clear plan to identify and respond to someone who might be struggling, so you can offer support in a safe and effective way.
When more people are trained to start conversations about mental health, more people get the help they need. MHFA trainees become essential connectors between individuals facing challenges and the support they need.
Training Topics:
- Depression and mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Trauma
- Psychosis
- Substance use disorders
What You’ll Learn: MHFA emphasizes recovery and resilience, showing that people can and do get better with the right support and by using their strengths.
Training Details:
- Online Component: Complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course.
- In-Person Component: Attend an 8-hour instructor-led session (breaks included).
Before Training: 1-2 weeks before your in-person session, you’ll receive an email with instructions to log into “CONNECT” (National Council’s learning management system) for your online course.
Important Note: All training sessions are in-person. If there are fewer than 10 participants, you may be asked to reschedule.
Equipping yourself with Mental Health First Aid can make a big difference in supporting those around you.
This course is brought to you by in part by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant SM087664 held by Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene as Chautauqua Tapestry. The training content comes from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. This information are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by SAMHSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information see
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/faq/
For questions, please email Carri Raynor: RaynorC@chqgov.com