Mental Health First Aid for Adults

Mental Health First Aid for Adults is an eight-hour course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness.

Trainees are taught how to apply the five-step action plan in a variety of situations such as helping someone through a panic attack, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, or assisting an individual who has overdosed. An important component of the mental health first aid course is the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy rather than to just learn about it. This simple experience can make it easier to actually apply the knowledge in a real-life situation.

Training Coordinator

Kimberly Lafountain, LMHC

• Behavioral Education Development Specialist, Department of Behavioral Education, Bradley Hospital
• MHFA Certified Instructor