MHFA Certification
For Everyone. And Every One.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training provides the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to support a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being, a mental health or substance use crisis until professional help is available.
The practical skills of MHFA help you develop the confidence and peace of mind knowing you can support those around you, and your ability to self-care and prioritize you well-being while supporting others.
Delivered in 35 nations worldwide and with over 7 million people trained, MHFA is a global movement.
MHFA Certification is an innovative and leading-edge program in the sector. Mental Health First Aid now offers official certification. This in-depth course, upon completion and assessment, provides participants:
Increase Mental Health Awareness
Enhance Mental Health
Improve confidence to help
Decrease Mental Health Stigma
Program features:
The 2-day format of the MHFA Certification allows for robust, scenario-based training on the identification and support of declining mental health and crises, and provides a deeper understanding of mental health disorders and influences.
Course Logistics
- Delivery Formats: The course is fully facilitated, with Virtual and In Person Options
- Course Length: 12 Hours
- 3 delivery options : On two consecutive days; On two full days within two weeks; On four half-days within two weeks
Group training options
For groups of 8 or more that are looking for a private course, flexible options are available to book your course over two weeks & multiple dates. For more information, contact our Engagement team.
Course Overview
1
Welcome and Introductions:
Participants set group expectations and create a safe, respectful space for learning together.
2
Goals of Mental Health First Aid:
This section outlines the course objectives and clarifies the role and responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider.
3
What is Mental Health?:
Explore definitions of mental health and illness, the impact of stigma, and learn to recognize mental health on a continuum. Reflection on personal attitudes contributing to stigma.
4
Elements of ALGES:
Learners are introduced to the ALGES framework, a step-by-step guide for offering support during mental health challenges, focusing on empathy, communication, and appropriate resources.
5
Using real-life scenarios, participants practice applying ALGES to support people experiencing early signs of mental health decline.
6
Self-Care for Mental Health First Aiders:
This module emphasizes the importance of caring for your own mental health and building sustainable, personalized self-care routines.
7
MHFA for Crisis Situations:
Participants learn to recognize and respond to mental health crises, including suicide risk and psychosis, using the ALGES approach.
8
Wrap-up and Closing:
The course ends with a reflection on key takeaways, commitment to self-care, and steps for continued learning and support.
Learn how to use ALGES
MHFA actions ALGES provide a framework for supporting someone in distress: first approach them, assess for any crisis, and offer immediate help if needed.
Then, listen without judgment, give reassurance and information, and encourage both professional help and other supports like family, friends, or self-care strategies. Finally, the first aider must also practice self-care to manage the emotional impact of providing help.
- Approach the person, assess, and assist with any crisis
- Listen and communicate non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage the person to reach out to supports
- Self-care for the first aider
Other MHFA training options
- A suite of streamlined courses, focused on core knowledge and practical skills. The courses do not lead to Certification.
- Within the Essentials suite are also Adaptations to support unique populations and specific roles, including:
- MHFA Supporting Youth
- MHFA Supporting Older Adults
- MHFA Veteran Community
- MHFA Police
Community-Based MHFA courses are culturally grounded and co-developed with the communities they serve. They are delivered with local knowledge and community support to ensure safe, relevant, and trusted learning experiences. These programs are designed to reflect the lived realities, values, and ways of knowing of the local communities, including:
- MHFA First Nations
- MHFA Inuit
- MHFA Northern Peoples
Frequently Asked Questions
While the base information for Essentials and Certification is similar, MHFA Certification adds additional coverage for mental health disorders and their prevalence, as well as more scenario-based training exercises and discussions around key concepts. The topics covered in Community-Based courses are built in the unique context of the community it serves - as a result, the topics covered can be different than the Essentials and Certification options.
Certification is only available through the two-day MHFA Certification course. If you have taken previous offered MHFA Standard or Basic courses within the last 12 months, you have the opportunity to take the certification assessment for a one-time fee. Successful completion of this assessment will result in full certification being granted for three years.
Certification is only available through the two-day MHFA Certification course. If you have taken previous offered MHFA Standard or Basic courses within the last 12 months, you have the opportunity to take the certification assessment for a one-time fee. Successful completion of this assessment will result in full certification being granted for three years.
Certification is only available through the two-day MHFA certification course at this time. If both are required, we recommend taking the Certification course in addition to the adaptation you are interested in.
MHFA Certifications remain active for 3 years from the date of successful completion of the assessment. To recertify, participants must complete the MHFA Certification course again.
Mental Health First Aid Training Options
When training reflects real experiences from a community, the impact becomes even more meaningful. In addition to MHFA Standard, we offer a suite of tailored MHFA courses.
Become a Certified MHFA Facilitator
The Facilitator Certification Training is designed for people who want to offer the MHFA course in the communities, workplaces or organizations. As a Certified MHFA facilitator you will join the Opening Minds Facilitator Community that is over 1000 people strong across Canada.
Mental Health First Aid Case Studies
Learn more about how MHFA is helping to transform mental wellness in organizations across Canada.
