MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges, mental health crisis, or substance use challenges among adults. MHFA can save a life, just like CPR or physical first aid. We offer trainings customized for specific areas of interest. Click here to see the variety of trainings offered.
To date, over 2.6 million people across the country have been trained in MHFA. Integral Care began offering MHFA to the community in 2006. We have trained over 14,000 people in Central Texas, including Capitol staffers, representatives from the City of Austin, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services, University of Texas, Austin Community College, Huston-Tillotson University, Front Steps, Goodwill Industries of Texas, AIDS Service of Austin, Mobile Loaves and Fishes and many more.
- Mental illness is common – approximately 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental illness
- 50% of mental health issues can be identified by age 14
Who should take MHFA?
Anyone! MHFA gives people the tools they need to help friends, family, colleagues and community members. It answers key questions like “What do I do? and “Where can someone find help?”
What will I learn in MHFA?
- Warning signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illness
- Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, suicide and substance use disorder
- A 5-step action plan to help someone showing signs of mental illness or someone potentially in crisis
- Professional and self-help resources
There are multiple types of MHFA trainings.
- Adult MHFA, offered in English and Spanish, is for anyone who wants to learn how to help someone showing signs of mental illness and/or substance use disorder or experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Youth MHFA is for anyone who works with youth and young adults ages 12-18 who may be in the early stages of a mental health problem, substance use disorder or crisis. Instructors review the risk factors and warning signs for this age group. The training emphasizes the importance of early intervention.
- Veterans, Military Members and Their Families MHFA is customized for family members and anyone who works with veterans, service members and their families. This training focuses on the unique experiences and needs of this population.
- Public Safety MHFA is customized for police, first responders, corrections officers, and other public safety audiences. The training provides officers with more response options to help them deescalate incidents and better understand mental health related calls.
- Higher Education MHFA is customized for anyone in a college or university setting. Instructors train students, faculty and others to recognize the signs of emerging mental illnesses and/or substance use disorder or to assist young adults in a mental health crisis. The training emphasizes the importance of early intervention.
MHFA is a great addition to a wellness program. It can provide managers and employees the tools they need to support each other and identify the signs of a mental health crisis and substance use challenges. Just like you support your employees with physical wellness programs, mental health programs are just as important.
- 10.8 million full-time workers have a substance use disorder. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- As many as 200 million workdays are lost each year due to mental health challenges. (Harvard Business Review)
- Less than 10% of employees feel their workplace is free of stigmas about mental health. (McKinsey Center for Societal Benefit)
What it covers
- Noticing signs and symptoms of substance use and mental health challenges
- Navigating conversations about mental health or substance use concerns
- Knowing that recovery is possible – and how to support it
- Tackling mental health stigma in the workplace
- Principles of safety and privacy
- Building resilience and strategies to alleviate burnout
- Reinforcing relevant Employee Resource Groups, employee benefits and HR initiatives
Who should take it?
- Human resources and benefits partners
- Senior leaders and front-line managers
- Clinical and wellness staff
- All employees dedicated to employee engagement, team building and resilience
To bring MHFA training to your organization, please contact mhfa@integralcare.org or (737) 263-3352.
Military service has a profound impact on the people involved – the service member and their family members. Many experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression and substance use issues. Yet less than half receive any mental health care. Sadly, twenty veterans die by suicide every day in our country. You can make a difference in their lives. This free training focuses on military culture and the specific risk factors faced by service members and their families. You learn a 5-step action plan to help someone showing signs of mental illness, substance use disorder or crisis. Click below to register.
Upon completion of this training, you may register for additional free trainings.
- Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) – Learn the right questions to ask to identify people of all ages at risk suicide.
- Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) – Reducing access to lethal means, such as firearms, can save the life of someone at risk of suicide. Learn how to work with veterans, service members and their families on reducing access to lethal means.
- Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) – Learn how to develop an effective safety plan with veterans, military members, their families and/or caregivers.
For any questions, please contact mhfa.vet@integralcare.org.
For more information on hosting an MHFA training or to request special accommodations, please contact mhfa@integralcare.org or call us at (737) 263-3352.
The State of Texas HHSC MHFA grant allows us to offer free MHFA trainings to educators, faculty and staff (K – 12th grades and institutes of higher education).
Testimonials
St. David’s Foundation has graciously awarded Integral Care a Healthy Minds Grant to expand our general MHFA program for both Adults and Youth. Their generosity allows us to provide even more Travis County residents the tools they need to support someone having a mental health crisis or showing signs of mental illness. Integral Care is also partnering with Bluebonnet Trails Community Services to increase access to this potentially life-saving training in the Williamson County area.
Mental health impacts all of us. It’s important to know that mental health conditions are common, treatable and help is available. Supporting the mental health of our children and youth starts with a conversation – Ask, Listen, Talk, Repeat. Visit AskListenTalk.org for tools you need to start the conversation – including some fun ways to connect. Know when someone needs help, where to find help and how to take care of yourself along the way.