Learn How to Recognize, Respond, and Support Someone Experiencing a Mental Health Challenge
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program that teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. Much like CPR prepares someone to assist during a medical emergency, Mental Health First Aid equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health concern until appropriate professional help can be obtained.
Maumee Valley Guidance Center is proud to offer Mental Health First Aid training to schools, businesses, healthcare providers, first responders, faith communities, community organizations, and the general public throughout our service area.
Why Mental Health First Aid Matters
Mental health challenges are common, affecting millions of people each year. Friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors, and classmates are often the first to notice when someone is struggling. Knowing how to respond appropriately can make a significant difference in encouraging early intervention, reducing stigma, and connecting individuals with the help they need.
Mental Health First Aid empowers participants to:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health and substance use challenges.
- Respond calmly and confidently during a mental health crisis.
- Support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, or substance use concerns.
- Encourage professional treatment and appropriate community resources.
- Reduce stigma by increasing understanding and awareness of mental health.
- Promote hope, recovery, and resilience.
What You’ll Learn
Participants gain practical skills that can be applied in everyday situations, including how to:
- Recognize early warning signs of mental health concerns.
- Identify risk factors and protective factors.
- Respond to panic attacks and emotional distress.
- Assist someone experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
- Recognize signs of substance misuse and overdose.
- Support individuals experiencing trauma or severe emotional challenges.
- Communicate effectively with empathy and compassion.
- Connect individuals to appropriate professional and community resources.
The course emphasizes that Mental Health First Aid is not intended to diagnose or provide therapy. Instead, it teaches participants how to offer initial support and guide someone toward appropriate professional care.
The MHFA Action Plan
Mental Health First Aid is built around a simple, evidence-based action plan known as ALGEE®, which helps participants remember how to respond when someone may be experiencing a mental health challenge:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
- Listen nonjudgmentally.
- Give reassurance and information.
- Encourage appropriate professional help.
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
This structured approach provides practical guidance that participants can use in real-life situations at work, at school, and in their communities.
Who Should Attend?
Mental Health First Aid is valuable for anyone who regularly interacts with others, including:
- Teachers and school personnel
- Healthcare professionals
- First responders
- Employers and supervisors
- Human resource professionals
- Faith leaders
- Coaches and youth mentors
- Parents and caregivers
- Community volunteers
- Anyone interested in supporting the mental well-being of others
No prior mental health experience is required.
Evidence-Based and Nationally Recognized
Mental Health First Aid is one of the most widely used mental health education programs in the world. Backed by extensive research, the program has been shown to improve participants’ understanding of mental health, increase confidence in helping someone in distress, reduce stigma, and encourage earlier intervention and connection to care.
Bringing Mental Health First Aid to Your Organization
Maumee Valley Guidance Center offers Mental Health First Aid training for schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. Training can often be customized to meet the needs of your organization and help create a more informed, compassionate, and supportive environment.
Schedule a Training
If your organization is interested in hosting a Mental Health First Aid training or you would like to learn more about upcoming classes, contact Maumee Valley Guidance Center. Together, we can build stronger communities by increasing mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring more people have the knowledge and confidence to help when it matters most.