MHFA: Police
Specialized support for law enforcement
Strengthen your ability to respond to mental health situations in policing.
MHFA Police was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada in collaboration with police officers and mental health experts from across Canada.
Participants build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond effectively to someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue or crisis.
Who is it for? The course is intended for police services and their support staff across Canada. It is delivered through 30 minutes of online learning followed by 8 hours in-class.
As a Mental Health First Aider, you will learn:
Recognize signs
that a young person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health or substance use crisis
Discuss Support
Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being
Initiate Conversations
that encourage a young person to talk about a mental health or substance use problem
Assist
In a mental health or substance use crisis situation
Course structured for impact
This 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). Upon registration, participants receive a link to the “MHFA Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health crises.
Module 1
Introduction
Mental health in Canada and implications for police • Value of MHFA for Police • Current strategies
Module 2
ALGEES Action
Application of ALGEES to police scenarios • Possible challenges • Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours for using ALGEES effectively
Module 3
ALGEES in Action
Application of ALGEES to police scenarios • Possible challenges • Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours for using ALGEES effectively
Module 4
Crisis Situations
Suicide • Non-Suicidal Self-Injury • Severe Psychotic States • Panic Attack • Reaction to Trauma
Module 5
Next Steps
Identify 5 things you will take away from this course • Create an action plan to implement 3 things you will do to apply what you learned
Learn how to use ALGEES
ALGEES is a simple, and essential Action Plan that helps a Mental Health First Aider provide support until professional help is available.
- Approach the person, assess, and assist with any cris
- Listen and communicate non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage the person to reach out to supports
- Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
- Self-care for the first aider
Flexible learning options to meet your needs
- Virtual Classes: Facilitated on-line session for 8 to 15 participants
- In-Person Classes: Facilitated session for 8 to 25 participants
Mental Health First Aid Training Options
When training reflects real experiences from a community, the impact becomes even more meaningful. In addition to MHFA Police, 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.
