Hello!

The University YMCA can provide Youth Mental Health First Aid and/or Higher Ed Mental Health First Aid to your team, community, families!

What is Mental Health First Aid?

An evidence-based, early-intervention course.

Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack — we’d start CPR or call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or showing signs of alcohol use disorder.

Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

This evidence-based, early-intervention course, administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is available virtually and in-person and uses community-specific scenarios, activities and videos to teach the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges as well as how to provide initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help.

More than 3 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA by thousands of certified Instructors. Join the next 3 million and be prepared to provide support for those around you who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge by getting certified in Mental Health First Aid. Visit MHFA.org to find a course near you.

What It Covers

  • Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.  
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.  
  • How to interact with a person in crisis. 
  • How to connect a person with help.  
  • Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.

For more information please contact: Patti Neiman patti.neiman@ymcamn.org