Mental Health First Aid Trainings COMING SOON!

Evidence-Based and Skill-Based Training

Similar to physical First Aid and CPR, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, and provides support during non-crisis situations.

Mental Health First Aiders

• Increase Mental Health Literacy

• Learn a 5-step Action Plan for Mental Health

• Provide Help in Crisis and Non-Crisis Situations

• Understand Where to Turn for Assistance

• For adults who regularly interact with young people.

Adult Mental Health First Aid— For adults 18 and over. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.

• Higher Education —- This training focuses on the unique experiences and needs of college students — gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

• Older Adults— This training focuses on the unique experiences and needs of adults over the age of 65 — gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

• Public Safety— This training focuses on the unique experiences and needs of public safety personnel and is a valuable resource that can make a difference in their lives, their coworkers’ and families’ lives, and the communities they serve.

• Fire & EMS— Firefighters and EMS personnel are constantly exposed to traumatic events and life-threatening situations that can take a toll on mental health. Strengthen your community and get your firefighters and EMS personnel certified in Mental Health First Aid for Fire/EMS, a trusted evidence-based
  and early intervention training program.

• Veterans— Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Military Members and their Families teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

For Adults working with Youth— Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.

Upcoming Trainings for Individuals Working with Youth in NYS

NYS Schools, Businesses & Organizations Who Want Information

Who can be a First Aider?

Anyone 13 and older who has successfully completed a MHFA training becomes a First Aider.

• Family and Friends

• Educators

• Public Safety Workers

• General Public

  Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities

  Rural communities face significant challenges in accessing mental health care. Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities allows adults to acknowledge and begin to address those disparities, as well as identify the many unique strengths that come from living in a community of supportive neighbors, friends and families.

About

The Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) has partnered with the New York State Office of Mental Health to expand Mental Health First Aid in school communities across New York State.

In Fall 2022, MHANYS School Mental Health Resource Center began its Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Across NYS project. The project works to bring YMHFA to adults in youth-facing roles connected to schools, PTAs, and community youth programs and build the capacity to deliver trainings across the state.

In Fall 2023, we are excited to expand our programming to include Teen Mental Health First Aid (teenMHFA)! This project will focus on building teenMHFA program capacity across NYS for teens ages 15-18.