Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.  Just like physical first aid is provided until medical treatment can be obtained, Mental Health First Aid is given until appropriate support is found or until the crisis is resolved.

We run public sessions of Mental Health First Aid, or you can contact us about bringing Mental Health First Aid to your community or workplace.

Why choose to take Mental Health First Aid through the Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser?

Our Master Mental Health First Aid Trainers bring you top-quality training to you in a comfortable and safe training space.

How Mental Health First Aid Helps

• Preserves life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others.
• Provides help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state.
• Promotes the recovery of good mental health.
• Provides comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem.

Upcoming Trainings

January 23 & 24, 2025 (8:30 am – 12 pm)  MHFA Standard (Virtual) Register

February 27 & 28, 2024 (8:30 am – 12 pm)  MHFA Standard (Virtual) Register

April 2 & 3, 2024 (8:30 am – 12:30 pm)  MHFA Supporting Youth (Virtual) Register

MHFA Standard

Course Objectives

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.
Course participants will 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:

• Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental well-being.
• 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.

Method of Instruction

This 9-hour course opens with a self-directed module (Module 1) that focuses on the information and strategies that participants will discuss and practice throughout the virtual classroom modules (Modules 2 and 3). Course participants are required to complete Module 1 before participating in Module 2 and 3.
Upon registration, participants will receive the “MHFA Participant Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health and substance use crises.

MHFA Supporting Youth (Virtual)

Course Objectives

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person who is showing signs of declining mental well-being or crisis. “MHFA – Supporting Youth” is a course designed for members of the public who have frequent contact with young people (ages 12 to 24).

Participants will learn how to:

• Check in with one’s own mental well-being and take action as needed.
• Recognize signs that a young person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health or substance use crisis.
• Initiate conversations that encourage a young person to talk about a mental health or substance use problem.
• Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being.
• Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis situation.

Method of Instruction

This 10-hour course opens with a self-directed module (Module 1) that focuses on the information and strategies that participants will discuss and practise throughout the virtual classroom modules (Modules 2 and 3). Module 1 takes up to 2 hours to complete while Modules 2 and 3 are 4 hours in length each, including breaks.

Upon registration, participants will receive the “MHFA – Supporting Youth Participant Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health and substance use crises.

To learn more about bringing Mental Health First Aid training to your community or workplace, please contact us at 778-986-2524 or courses.vf@cmhavf.ca. Or, leave us a message by submitting the form below.

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