Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

MHFA Certification Program

Course Description
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an 8-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as CPR training helps a layperson without medical training assist an individual experiencing a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps a layperson assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

The evidence behind Mental Health First Aid demonstrates that it makes people feel more comfortable managing a crisis situation and builds mental health literacy — helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. Specifically, studies found that those who were trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. More information on Mental Health First Aid can be found on the MHFA National Council Website.

Learning Objectives

Mental Health First Aid certification, which must be renewed every three years, teaches participants to:

  • Recognize the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury. Youth Mental Health First Aid addresses mental health challenges common among adolescents, including: depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavioral disorders, and substance use disorders.

  • Use a 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.

  • Interpret the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced negative attitudes in their communities.

  • Apply knowledge of the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem treat and manage the problem and achieve recovery.

  • Assess their own views and feelings about mental health problems and disorders.


How to Register for a Course

  • To get more information or to register: email us at MHFA@abetterwayinc.net.

  • If you would like to schedule a course for your group, please email us directly: MHFA@abetterwayinc.net


    Course Options
    The course curriculum is 8 hours total. Courses can be open to the community at large or coordinated for your group only. Course maximum capacity is 25 people, though we are happy to provide as many courses as needed to train your whole group. We are happy to train Our certified facilitators are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are able to deliver courses on site as needed. Content can be delivered in the following ways:

    Virtual Course - Blended format

  • Complete 2 hours of self-paced online work as a prerequisite for a 5.5 hour live instructor-led Zoom course.

    • Live Zoom course can be one day or split into 2 shorter days within a week.

In-person course

  • Provided on location or in one of our ABW offices’ training suites.

    • Can be one 8-hour day, or two four-hour days within a week.


Contact Us
MHFA Certification Program
A Better Way Training Programs
3200 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
MHFA@ABetterWayInc.net
(510) 295-9220

Cost
Courses offered at a fee for service based pay structure. Inquire for pricing details.