If you are in distress, you can call or text 988 at any time. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency department.

Workplace Mental Health

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) provides you with the skills needed to extend crucial support to individuals navigating mental health crises or challenges. Much like traditional first aid, MHFA fosters the ability to identify common signs of distress and deliver immediate aid until professional assistance is accessible.

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Empowering Organizations and Employees and Individuals

In today’s world, understanding and supporting mental health is as crucial as addressing physical health. Opening Minds offers transformative Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses designed to demystify mental health and substance use challenges.

Our evidence-based courses are proven to foster a more empathetic, supportive, and stigma-free environment in your workplace, organization or community.

Ikea Mental Health First Aid showcase

Trusted by these leading organizations

Why Choose Mental Health First Aid from Opening Minds?

  • Enhanced Awareness: Gain vital insights to recognize early signs of mental well-being decline.
  • Transcendent Skills: Our courses provide you with practical skills that you can apply to better support those around you at home, work or in your community.
  • Crisis Management: Acquire essential tools to assist effectively during mental health crisis.
  • Evidence Based: Opening Minds programs are evidence-based and scientifically proven to deliver desired outcomes.
  • Organizational Success: Maximize your return on investment. Our courses: Reduce absenteeism, boost morale and foster a healthy workplace environment.
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Course Structure Tailored for Impact

  • Module 1: Self-Directed (2 Hours): An introductory module that lays the foundation of MHFA actions.
  • Module 2: Live Classroom (3.5 hours): Focuses on applying MHFA actions in scenarios of declining mental well-being and adapting conversations for diverse groups.
  • Module 3: Live Classroom (3.5 hours): Enhances skills in crisis management and highlights the importance of self-care.

Empowering Through ALGES Participants will learn the five core actions of ALGES:

  • 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

Flexible Class Sizes for Optimal Learning

  • Virtual Classes: Intimate sessions of 8 to 15 participants.
  • In-Person Classes: Engaging experiences for 8 to 25 participants.
Have questions about our courses? Reach out to us at solutions@openingminds.org.

With Mental health first aid, you can learn to support the needs of specific groups

Mental Health First Aid is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis.
Become a certified Mental Health First Aid facilitator. Join our program and learn to train others to provide much-needed support.
MHFA Police is tailored to the needs of police. It focuses on improving police interactions where mental health may be an issue.
A Mental Health First Aid course tailored to reflect the values used to guide Indigenous ways of living.
A course designed by Inuit, for Inuit and for those who work with Inuit.
Mental Health First Aid First Nations is a spark that awakens the courage to have open and honest conversations about mental health with family, friends, and others. It is part of a larger journey that helps strengthen the connections within communities.
Increase the capacity to promote mental health and prevent mental illness and suicide in older adults and to intervene early when problems first emerge.
The course is designed for members of the public who have frequent contact with young people (ages 12 to 24), for example, parents and guardians, school staff, sports coaches, and youth workers.
This course is designed to increase skills and confidence to engage in effective conversations about mental health in the Veteran community.

Mental Health First Aid Case Studies

Recent news & events

Michel Rodrigue

Latest News

On behalf of the board, leadership, and staff, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for Michel’s unwavering commitment to the MHCC and to working tirelessly to raise the profile

When I first embarked on my career in the field of occupational health and safety (OHS) nearly 30 years ago, I never thought I would…

By Liz Horvath, Senior Advisor, Psychological Health and Safety “We don’t know where to start.” “We have done some mental health training, but we don’t…

TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Opening Minds, a division of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), and AuditSoft proudly announce a 10-year exclusive partnership…

By Nicole Chevrier How do I tell my work I need time off for mental health? How do you tell your boss you’re struggling mentally?…

A registered nurse with nearly 40 years of experience shares how to boost your mood and support your overall mental health as you age.
So early in 2018, I started my own research. I hoped to find a family like mine, for whom things had improved.
Interested in training for yourself? Need training for your Organization?