Free Training for Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact and overviews appropriate supports. These 8-hour course (offered in full or half days) teaches skills to provide initial help in a mental health challenge or crisis and connect people to the appropriate professionals, self care and community resources. The program also teaches common risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a challenge and connect the person with help. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like, "What do I do?" and "Where can someone find help?".

What it Covers

  • Common signs and symptoms of a mental challenge.
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance use.
  • How to interact with a person in crisis.
  • How to connect the person with help.
  • Local and National support resources


Who Should Take It?

  • Employers
  • School Personal
  • Hospital staff
  • First responders
  • Faith leaders
  • Anyone and Everyone! (18 and over)

Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety

Why Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety?
Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substances use disorders. This 8-hour training 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. It 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.
Who Should Take It?
  • Law enforcement
  • Corrections officers
  • Security Staff
  • Other first responders
  • 911 dispatch staff
  • What it Covers
  • Defusing crises.
  • Promoting mental health literacy.
  • Combating stigma of mental illness.
  • Enabling early intervention through recognition of signs and symptoms.
  • Connecting people to care.
  • Mental Health First Aid - Youth

    Why Youth Mental Health First Aid?
    Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substances use disorders. This 8-hour training gives adults who work with youth the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to adolescents (ages 12-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
    Who Should Take It?
  • Teachers
  • School staff
  • Coaches
  • Camp counselors
  • Youth group leaders
  • Parents
  • People who work with youth
  • What it Covers
  • Common signs and symptoms of mental illnesses in this age group, including:
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Eating disorders
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance use.
  • How to interact with an adolescent in crisis.
  • How to connect the adolescent with help.

  • Hosting a Mental Health First Aid Training

    Sponsoring a Mental Health First Aid training for your business, organization, club or group is an easy and cost-effective way to support your community! If you’re interested in hosting a training or finding out more information, contact Adrienne Luckenbacher at ALuckenbacher@scccmh.org or (810) 966-3531

    Registering for Mental Health First Aid Training

    To register for this Nationally recognized 3-year certification training, contact Tamara Lake at (810) 966-2597 or by email at tlake@scccmh.org

    Upcoming Adult Mental Health First Aid Trainings

    November 8, 2024
    8:00 am – 5:00pm

    Register for Adult Mental Health First Aid

    Upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings

    October 25, 2024
    8:00 am – 5:00pm

    REGISTRATION CLOSED - CLASS FULL

    Additional Mental Health First Aid Information

    Additional information about mental health first aid can be found at the Mental Health First Aid website.

    Printable Mental Health First Aid Flyer