Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid Certification

The Mental Health Association offers certification trainings in both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Whether you're interested in supporting adults or youth, these courses equip you with the skills to respond to mental health challenges and crises effectively.

The cost for Adult MHFA training and materials is $129. Currently Youth and Teen MHFA trainings are offered at no cost.

We offer partial need-based scholarships to ensure accessibility for all participants.

Upcoming Trainings

Adult MHFA

DECEMBER 12th Session Full

9 AM - 5 PM
In person at 511 W. Seneca St. in Ithaca

Register Here

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing designed to provide participants with the skills to identify, de-stigmatize, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorder, enabling those trained to offer immediate, concrete support. 

Similar to traditional First Aid and CPR, MHFA is help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis until professional treatment is obtained or the crisis resolves.

MHFA is an evidence-based public education and prevention tool – it improves the public’s knowledge of mental health and substance use problems and connects people with care for their mental health or substance use problems.

Youth

Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Now available! Teen Mental Health First Aid

For teens in grades 9-12 or ages 14-18.

Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens in grades 9-12, or ages 14-18.

Teen MHFA empowers young people to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers, start supportive conversations, and seek help from a trusted adult when needed.

Why become a First Aider?

First aiders care about the mental health of their family, friends, coworkers, and community members.

  • Gain Empathy

  • Support Others

  • Be a Role Model

  • Prevent Crises

Who can be First Aider?

Anyone who has successfully completed a MHFA training becomes a First Aider.

  • Family and Friends

  • Educators

  • Public Safety Workers

  • General Public

  • Anyone!

Mental Health First Aid FAQs

  • Once you have signed up for a course, your instructor will reach out to you with a link to connect and instructions on how to access everything. You will need to reset your password upon first logging in.

  • The course progress is for the entire course, including prework, instruction day, and post work. If your prework is done and you see 69% you are fully ready for your in-person training!Description text goes here

  • No, unfortunately if you are unable to attend we are not allowed to certify you as a Mental Health First Aider.

  • MHFA should not be considered a replacement for professional help. MHFA is designed to support an individual in need of help until appropriate professional help arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn the 5-step MHFA Action Plan known as ALGEE, which includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help, which may include licensed counselors, primary care physicians, social workers or psychiatrists.

  • Item descriptionHFA does not force people to self-disclose mental health or substance use challenges. Instead, MHFA can help lessen a person’s fear and hesitation about starting conversations with others about mental health and substance use. A typical course shows individuals how to recognize the signs of a problem and gives them the tools and language to help.

  • Item descriptionYes, there is strong evidence of outcomes. Mental Health First Aid USA is listed in the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.

    Visit the Mental Health First Aid USA website for more information.