Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification

Virtual/Zoom | 5.5 hours

Youth MHFA is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people (age 12-18). The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, ADHD, and eating disorders.

Reserve your spot

Mental Health First Aid Matters!

Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone with a physical injury or having a heart attack. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or coworker might be showing signs of alcohol use disorder. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting these conversations.

Registration

Registration is open to all adults in the US.
No prior experience with mental health conversations or support is needed; the MHFA curriculum is designed to be accessible to anyone.
All time zones welcome.
Online registration closes two weeks before class.
Refunds will not be made under any circumstances.
If you become unable to attend the training you register for, you may request to enroll in a later course offering by emailing training@mindfuldishi.com

Required pre-work

This course requires 2 hours of self-paced content [Modules 1-9 of the course]
The instructor will begin assigning pre-work two weeks before the date of class.
All prework [Modules 1-9] must be complete before the start of the Instructor-Led Zoom session [Module 10].
It is the learner's responsibility to ensure all pre-work is complete before attending the Instructor-Led Zoom session [Module 10].
All learners unable to complete the pre-work before the Instructor-Led Zoom session will be unenrolled from the class.

Instructor-led zoom session

Our MHFA trainings are led by a licensed clinical instructors.
The instructor-led portion of the training will be 6.5 hours in Zoom, with closed captions available.
All learners MUST have their camera on and be visible during the training.
There will be three 15-minute breaks throughout the 6.5 hour course. You are encouraged to move, eat, hydrate, etc. as needed throughout the course
Participation is required in class either through chat or audio.
If you have questions, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
You may also contact us at info@mindfuldishi.com

Required post-work

After completing the instructor-led Zoom session [Module 10], learners will need to complete a final exam and post-survey/eval.
Learners will then receive a downloadable certificate, valid for 3 years.
Learners will also have access to the Mental Health First Aid manual, participant processing guide, and other study materials/tools for 3 years.
Learners will have ongoing access to no-cost newsletters, articles, skill-building tips, resources and more from Mental Health First Aid USA

Frequently Asked Questions

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) cost/value?

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing indicates the Mental Health Fist Aid course has a value of $170 per learner. Registration cost and completion of course includes the instructor-led session and:

downloadable certificate, valid for 3 years
downloadable image for post or email signature to let others know you are a certified Mental Health First Aider
3-year access to all self-paced course modules
comprehensive course manual
pdf-fillable participant processing guide for note-taking during class
self-care action template to help you prioritize your wellness before, during, and after providing first aid
ongoing study materials
crisis and non-crisis resource information
access to continued learning, guidance, and support post-training
much more!

When an Instructor offers a discounted or no-cost course, this means the learners' costs are underwritten by the instructor or other public or private entity.

What is MHFA?

MHFA is a class that teaches early intervention skills to help someone having a mental health challenge or experiencing a mental health crisis. It is a well-researched, evidence-based, public education program. Evaluation studies show it is effective in preventing mental health problems from worsening, reducing stigma, and increasing awareness about mental health and recovery.

Who should attend MHFA class?

MHFA is recommended for everyone. Like standard First Aid and CPR, it is designed for people with no clinical experience. MHFA teaches skills to intervene early when a person is experiencing a mental health challenge to prevent it from worsening, suggest appropriate mental health resources, and support people experiencing a mental health crisis until appropriate professional help arrives.

Who operates MHFA in the US?

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing operates Mental Health First Aid USA in partnership with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Mental Health Association of Maryland, and has a vision that one day, everyone in the U.S. will know someone who is trained in Mental Health First Aid. That means regularly offering courses in every community across the country. To ensure the best program is being offered at all times, the National Council works with its association partners, instructors and community stakeholders to constantly update the training program and materials with the latest skills and information.

Who can teach MHFA?

Only certified Instructors can teach the Mental Health First Aid course. Instructors teach the Mental Health First Aid course with fidelity to the core program model and key messages, including fidelity to systems and course reporting required by Mental Health First Aid USA. Each Instructor has a set of materials to help guide them through course facilitation. Instructors typically team up with another certified Instructor to teach the course but may also choose to teach on their own. Presenting a course involves much more than just showing up and teaching it.

I have a group interested in getting trained and certified, how can I request a customized class?

We’re thrilled to offer private training sessions customized just for your unique group—whether it’s family, school, faith community, organization, small business, corporate leaders, customer service teams, and beyond! A minimum group size of 10 is required. Choose "Private Training Request" in the main menu and we’ll connect with you soon!