Mental Health First Aid
An 8-hour evidence-based training for community members, educators, and caregivers — equipping people to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges before they become crises.
Building community capacity to respond to mental health challenges
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an 8-hour, nationally recognized, evidence-based course that teaches participants how to assist and support others experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Using community-specific scenarios, the course provides practical skills to recognize signs and symptoms and offer initial support until the person is connected with appropriate professional help. SCAMHC offers both Youth MHFA (for adults who work with young people) and Adult MHFA (for the general community).
- Youth Mental Health First Aid — for adults who work with young people ages 12–18
- Adult Mental Health First Aid — for the general community
- Nationally recognized, evidence-based 8-hour curriculum
- Available for schools, organizations, churches, civic groups, and workplaces
Skills gained through Mental Health First Aid
Recognize Warning Signs
Identify signs and symptoms of common mental health and substance use challenges in adults and youth.
Provide Initial Help
Offer compassionate, non-judgmental support as a first step before professional help is sought.
Connect to Resources
Know how to connect individuals to professional care, peer support, and community resources.
Crisis Response
Respond safely and appropriately to mental health crises, including panic attacks, suicidal ideation, and psychosis.
Reduce Stigma
Build understanding and empathy that reduces the stigma of mental health challenges in your community.
Community-Specific Scenarios
Training uses real-world, community-specific scenarios to make skills immediately applicable to your environment.
Bring Mental Health First Aid to your community
We can schedule Youth MHFA or Adult MHFA trainings for your school, organization, or workplace. MHFA is one of several suicide and mental health intervention trainings SCAMHC offers — alongside QPR Gatekeeper (1-hour, no cost) and ASIST (2-day intensive). Contact our Prevention Director Staci Wilson at 334-428-5044 to discuss scheduling and availability.
