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Community Social Services Health and Safety Association of BC

Mental Health First Aid

Delivery
Delivery
In-Person, Virtual
Duration
Duration
2 x 7.5 hours
Cost
Cost
150

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification Course

Overview

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification course provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to recognize changes in mental health, respond supportively, and apply practical actions during declining mental health or crisis situations. Through a structured, scenario-based format, participants build confidence, reduce stigma, and strengthen their own mental well-being while earning a nationally recognized MHFA Certification valid for three years.
Developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)-Opening Minds Program, this course integrates the expertise of mental health specialists, lead facilitators, and people with lived and living experience of mental health and substance use conditions.

Why Take MHFA Certification Training

  • Gain Advanced Knowledge: Explore mental health concepts, contributing factors, and the Two Continua Model in depth.
  • Respond to Complex Situations: Learn to apply the ALGES action plan across a wide range of mental health and crisis scenarios.
  • Build Confidence: Develop practical skills for supporting individuals experiencing distress using structured, evidence-informed approaches.
  • Enhance Communication Skills: Practice empathy, active listening, non-judgmental communication, effective questioning, and providing reassurance.
  • Challenge Stigma: Examine self-stigma, public stigma, and structural stigma while learning strategies to reduce stigma.
  • Strengthen Community Capacity: Improve your ability to support vulnerable and underserved populations through informed and compassionate response.
  • Develop Sustainable Self-Care Practices: Learn strategies to maintain your own mental well-being and create a personalized, sustainable self-care routine as a Mental Health First Aider.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand mental health through the Two Continua Model
  • Recognize multiple forms of stigma and strategies to challenge them
  • Identify and respond to a broad range of mental health and crisis situations
  • Apply ALGES to declining mental health and acute crises
  • Support individuals experiencing suicidal behaviour, panic attacks, stress reactions, psychosis, or self-injury
  • Develop a personalized self-care plan using the Three Pillars of Self-Care
  • Strengthen knowledge of community resources and recovery-oriented approaches

Target Audience

For workers in the social services sector, particularly those who are providing support to employees and to the public.

Course Structure

This 12-hour course is delivered in two days or split into four 3-hour sessions and includes:

  • What is Mental Health: Define mental health and mental illness, explore stigma types, discuss prevalence, and examine the Two Continua Model.
  • Elements of ALGES: Learn each action of the ALGES framework, practice supportive communication, and build a list of community resources.
  • MHFA for Declining Mental Health: Apply ALGES to scenario-based activities focused on declining mental health and recovery-oriented support.
  • Self-Care for Mental Health First Aiders: Develop an intentional, personalized self-care plan using the Three Pillars of Self-Care.
  • MHFA for Crisis Situations: Learn to recognize and respond to suicidal behaviour, panic attacks, acute stress reactions, non-suicidal self-injury, and psychotic episodes.

Training Format

Face-to-Face Training:

  • Group Size: 8-25 participants
  • Duration: Two 7.5-hour day or four 3.5-hour days (includes breaks)
  • Cost: $150
  • Location: TBD

Virtual Training:

  • Group Size: 8-15 participants
  • Duration: Two 7.5-hour day or four 3.5-hour days (includes breaks)
  • Cost: TBD
  • Platform: Zoom

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Essentials Course

Overview
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Essentials provides foundational knowledge, skills, and attitudes for recognizing changes in mental health, responding supportively, and applying practical actions for declining mental health and crisis situations. The course helps participants build confidence, reduce stigma, and enhance their own mental well-being. Developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)-Opening Minds Program, it incorporates guidance from mental health specialists, lead facilitators, and people with lived and living experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

Why Take MHFA Essentials Training

  • Increase Awareness: Build foundational mental health literacy, including understanding common signs of mental health concerns and factors that influence well-being.
  • Promote Early Intervention: Learn how to recognize early changes in mental health and apply supportive strategies before issues escalate.
  • Support Others Effectively: Gain confidence in responding to individuals experiencing distress, whether they are colleagues, clients, community members, or friends.
  • Reduce Stigma: Practice identifying and avoiding stigmatizing language while promoting respectful and inclusive conversations around mental health.
  • Strengthen Community Capacity: Contribute to more resilient communities by building shared understanding and support skills across service providers.
  • Enhance Workplace Wellness: Improve psychological safety and reduce burnout by learning strategies to support both others and yourself in demanding social service environment.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand what mental health is and how it can fluctuate over time
  • Identify indicators of declining mental health
  • Apply the ALGES action plan to provide safe and supportive responses
  • Respond to crisis situations with a focus on suicidal behaviour
  • Reduce stigma through awareness, reflection, and respectful communication
  • Practice self-care using the “Three Pillars of Self-Care”: reflective, purposeful, and boundaries

Target Audience

For workers in the social services sector, particularly those who are providing support to employees and to the public.

Course Structure

This 6-hour course is delivered in a single day or split into two 3-hour sessions and includes:

  • What is Mental Health: Explore definitions, the experiences of people living with mental health conditions, and the mental health continuum. Discuss risks and limitations of labelling.
  • Elements of ALGES: Learn each action of the ALGES framework and practice applying it in supportive interactions.
  • MHFA for Declining Mental Health: Apply ALGES in scenario-based activities to respond to signs of declining mental health.
  • Self-Care for Mental Health First Aiders: Learn the Three Pillars of Self-Care and strategies to maintain personal well-being.
  • MHFA for Crisis Situations: Recognize and respond to suicidal behaviour using ALGES appropriately.

Training Format

Face-to-Face Training:

  • Group Size: 8-25 participants
  • Duration: One 7.5-hour day or two 3.5-hour days (includes breaks)
  • Cost: TBD
  • Location: TBD

Virtual Training:

  • Group Size: 8-15 participants
  • Duration: One 7.5-hour day or two 3.5-hour days (includes breaks)
  • Cost: TBD
  • Platform: Zoom