Mental Health First Aid (In-Person)

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Mental Health First Aid (In-Person)

Learning Objectives

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis.

Course participants will learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and encourage that person to:

  • Talk about declines in their mental well-being

  • Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being

  • Reach out to these support

  • Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis

  • Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental well-being


Course Outline

Section 1: Mental Health & Stigma

  • What is MHFA?

  • Why is MHFA needed and what is the role of a first aider?

  • Key terms, language, and concepts

  • Impact of stigma on mental well-being

  • The range of changes that may indicate a decline in mental well-being

  • Introduction to MHFA Actions – ALGEES

Section 2: Substance-Related Disorders

  • What is a substance-related disorder?

  • Signs and symptoms

  • Risk factors

  • MHFA for substance-related problems

  • Crisis first aid for overdose

  • Treatment and resources

Section 3: Mood-Related Disorders

  • What is a mood-related disorder?

  • Types of mood-related disorders

  • Signs and symptoms

  • Risk factors

  • Substance use and mood disorders

  • Suicide in Canada

  • MHFA for mood-related problems

  • Reasons for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)

  • MHFA for non-suicidal self-injury

  • Treatment and resources

Section 4: Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders

  • What are anxiety and trauma-related disorders?

  • Types of anxiety and trauma-related disorders

  • Signs and symptoms

  • Risk factors

  • Substance use and anxiety disorders

  • MHFA for anxiety and trauma-related problems

  • Crisis first aid for panic attacks

  • Crisis first aid for acute stress reactions

  • Treatment and resources

Section 5: Psychotic Disorders

  • What is a psychotic disorder?

  • Types of psychotic disorders

  • Signs and symptoms

  • Risk factors

  • Substance use and psychotic disorders

  • Crisis first aid for psychotic episodes


COVID-19 Precautions:

All in-person trainings offered by Oaks Mental Health follow current provincial guidelines. Mask wearing is required and there will be hand sanitizer available.

Our regular refund policy will be waived for anyone unable to attend due to illness.