Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis. Information on our virtual and in-person course offerings and links to register for a course are below.
Virtual Courses
Mental Health First Aid Standard Virtual consists of one 2-hour self-directed module and two 3.5-hour live virtual sessions to help you learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and encourage that person to:
- Talk about declines in their mental well-being
- Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being
- Reach out to these supports
- Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis
- Use MHFA actions to maintain mental well-being
Topics include MHFA actions, guidelines for MHFA conversations with people from diverse cultures and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, using MHFA actions for self-care, and practice using the MHFA skills for situations of declining mental health and crisis. More details are available here.
Approximately 2 weeks before your virtual live modules (Modules 2 and 3), you will be emailed link to complete the self-directed module (Module 1) online and access the “MHFA Participant Reference Guide” and course materials. If you are registering within 2 weeks of the live modules, you will be sent this email as soon as possible.
Please note that you are required to:
- Complete Module 1 in order to participate in Modules 2 and 3.
- Be present for the entire course in order to receive a certificate.
- Have your camera on during the live modules.
Upcoming Virtual Courses
Monday, February 22nd and Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 – 9 am to 12:30 pm each day
Wednesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 25th, 2021 – 1 pm to 4:30 pm each day
Click here to register for a course
*See refund policy below
In-Person Courses
Mental Health First Aid is a two-day, basic-level interactive course that teaches people with limited or no mental health knowledge how to help someone showing signs of a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Topics include:
- Signs and symptoms of mental health problems and crisis situations
- A basic model to provide Mental Health First Aid
- Information about how to help in a crisis
- Encouraging a person to identify options for help
We offer two versions of the course, Mental Health First Aid Basic and Mental Health First Aid for Adults Who Interact With Youth.
The 2-day Basic course discusses substance-related disorders, mood-related disorders, anxiety and trauma-related disorders, and psychotic disorders.
The 2-day Adults Who Interact With Youth (age 12 to 24) course discusses substance-related disorders, mood-related disorders, anxiety and trauma-related disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and deliberate self-injury.
All courses are at 1540 Cornwall Road, Oakville. Follow the signs for CMHA.
Time: Basic: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day; Adults Who Interact With Youth: 8:30 pm to 5 pm each day
Cost: $175 per person
A limited number of discounts are available for students and seniors. Contact us at 1-877-693-4270 or register@cmhahrb.ca for details.
PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION FOR OUR IN-PERSON COURSES IS CURRENTLY CLOSED AND IN-PERSON TRAINING IS ON HOLD. Registration will be available through this site once it is re-opened.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
*While we do not provide refunds once a payment is made, you may transfer your registration to another course within one year, to a maximum of two attempts at re-registration.