MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA)
The support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being, a mental health crisis, or substance use problem. Just as physical first aid is administered to a person with an injury prior to seeking more intensive medical care, MHFA is the immediate support provided to an individual until appropriate treatment is found or the crisis is resolved.
Upcoming Courses
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MHFA standard training
MHFA Standard Training is open to anyone in the community.
​MHFA aims to equip individuals in rural communities with the skills to recognize mental health crises and provide immediate support. If you'd like to request MHFA training for your community or workplace, click the button below to send us an email!
Project Background
1 in 3 Canadians will experience mental health in their life time. While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. ​
MHFA Standard training provides participants with the tools to:
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Recognize signs of declining mental well-being.
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Have conversations that encourage a person to discuss their mental state and confidence to reach out to supports.
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Assist during a mental health or substance use crisis,
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Maintain one’s own mental wellness.
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Learn about mental health supports in the community.
Project Goals
Global Trends in Workplace Mental Health Training
A recent edition of The monday.com Weekly highlights a global shift toward improved mental health training. In its Workplace Trends section, the newsletter notes that governments are increasingly mandating such training for public sector employees to ensure frontline workers across all departments are better equipped to support individuals at risk.
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Below is a direct quote from their newsletter:
Workplace Mental Health Training Is Becoming a Legal Requirement
"Governments are beginning to mandate suicide prevention training for public sector employees, recognizing that frontline workers across all departments encounter individuals at risk during routine interactions. Northern Ireland has proposed a Suicide Prevention Training Bill that would require all public-facing staff, from teachers to healthcare workers, to receive basic training in recognizing warning signs and guiding at-risk individuals to support resources, according to West Belfast MLA Órlaithí Flynn. The bill reflects a growing understanding that mental health crises aren't confined to healthcare settings, as people considering suicide may first encounter government workers in schools, social services, or law enforcement rather than mental health professionals. Workplace mental health experts note that such training doesn't aim to turn all employees into therapists, but rather equips them with confidence and basic skills to use appropriate language and make proper referrals." (monday.com, August 2025).
Project Timeline
01.
Planning & Development
02.
Outreach & Connections
03.
Training Sessions
04.
Follow Ups & Support
05.
Evaluation & Reporting
Who Can Benefit?
Anyone can benefit from MHFA training. From psychological health and safety in the workplace to schools and community groups across Canada, over 30,000 individuals have benefitted from the training to date. You can too!
The course begins with an online self-directed module, (Module 1) that introduces topics that are discussed and practiced throughout the live classroom modules, (Modules 2 and 3). Course participants must complete Module 1 before participating in Modules 2 and 3.
Delivery
Timing
The course takes a total of 9 hours to complete. Participants are required to complete 7 in-class hours and 2 self-directed hours, for a total of 9 hours. This can be offered over the course of one full day or two-half days, within a 2-week period.
The training can be offered both in-person, virtually, depending on what works best for you or your organization.
Platform
Participants & Fees
Class sizes can range from:
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8-25 for in-person trainings
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8-15 for virtual trainings
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Fee structures for the course vary based on various factors. Please reach out to mhfatraininggateway@gmail.com for more information.
Supportive
Inclusive
Empowering
Proactive
Project Team
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) project team is a group of compassionate professionals and community advocates committed to supporting mental health awareness and resilience. With backgrounds in psychology, counseling, healthcare, and education, each team member brings unique expertise to deliver impactful MHFA training sessions tailored to the needs of rural communities. Through strong partnerships with local organizations and mental health specialists, the team creates an inclusive, supportive space where participants can learn practical skills to assist those in crisis. Together, they are dedicated to building a network of mental health advocates who strengthen community well-being through empathy, knowledge, and support.
Project Funders
