Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Build practical skills to support someone experiencing declining mental well-being.
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognized training course that teaches participants how to identify signs and symptoms of declining mental wellness and provide help on a first-aid basis.
The course helps participants recognize changes in mental well-being, start supportive conversations, discuss professional and other supports, respond during mental health or substance-use crises, and use MHFA actions to maintain their own well-being.
Build confidence in recognizing, responding and connecting.
Participants develop practical first-aid skills for mental health and substance-use concerns.
Recognize Declining Mental Well-Being
Identify signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in mental well-being or a mental health crisis.
Start Supportive Conversations
Learn how to encourage someone to talk about changes in their mental well-being.
Discuss Available Supports
Help people consider professional and other supports that may contribute to improved mental well-being.
Encourage Help-Seeking
Support a person in reaching out to appropriate resources and services.
Respond to Crisis
Assist during a mental health or substance-use crisis until appropriate help is available.
Maintain Your Own Well-Being
Use MHFA actions and self-care principles to help protect your own mental well-being while supporting others.
Understand the stages of practical mental health first aid.
A central theme of MHFA is responding early, supportively and within the role of a first-aider.
Recognize
Notice changes in behaviour, mood or functioning that may signal declining mental well-being or crisis.
Engage & Support
Start a conversation, listen without judgment and help the person explore what support may be useful.
Connect & Follow Through
Encourage connection with professional and community supports while maintaining appropriate boundaries and self-care.
Use MHFA skills across a wide range of settings.
MHFA can help participants respond more effectively when mental health or substance-use concerns arise in workplaces, community settings and everyday interactions.
Certificate & Program Development
Participants receive a certificate upon completion. MHFA was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Bring MHFA training to your staff or professional team.
MHFA can support organizations whose staff regularly interact with people experiencing stress, declining mental well-being or mental health and substance-use concerns.
Organizational delivery can help create a shared approach to recognizing concerns, starting supportive conversations and connecting people with appropriate resources.
Frequently Asked Questions About MHFA Training
Learn more about Mental Health First Aid training, what participants will learn, how the course supports mental health and substance-use concerns, certification, and organizational training options.
What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognized training course that helps participants identify signs and symptoms of declining mental wellness and provide support on a first-aid basis.
What will I learn in MHFA training?
Participants learn to recognize signs of declining mental well-being or a mental health crisis, have supportive conversations, discuss professional and other supports, assist during mental health or substance-use crises, and use MHFA actions to support their own well-being.
Who developed MHFA?
Mental Health First Aid was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Does MHFA cover substance-use crises?
Yes. CTI's course objectives include assisting a person during a mental health or substance-use crisis until appropriate help is available.
Does MHFA include self-care?
Yes. Participants learn to use MHFA actions and self-care principles to help maintain their own mental well-being while supporting others.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants receive a certificate upon completion of the Mental Health First Aid course.
Can MHFA training be delivered to organizations and staff teams?
Yes. CTI provides organizational training and can deliver Mental Health First Aid training to staff teams, professional groups and organizations.
Is MHFA practical or theory-based?
MHFA combines knowledge about mental health and substance-use concerns with practical skills for recognizing changes in well-being, starting supportive conversations, connecting people with appropriate supports and responding during crisis situations.