Mental Health First Aid is an early intervention public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health or substance use challenge, how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.

The Mental Health First Aid course focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and appearance that show there might be a challenge or a disorder. You will learn an action plan and how to apply it in crisis and non-crisis situations. By the end of the course, you will:

Understand the prevalence of various mental health disorders impacting people in the US and the need to reduce stigma in communities.

Recognize the warning signs of mental health challenges or disorders

Apply a five-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to assess the situation, select and implement appropriate skills, and help a person in crisis connect with appropriate, evidence-based treatment and supports.

Identify and access the community resources available to support someone.