Mental Health First Aid: Supporting Youth

MHFA: Adults Supporting Youth is a certification program that equips adults with the skills to take action by recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and crises in youth and young people.

The purpose of Mental Health First Aid is to empower the community to offer vital initial support to a young person or youth experiencing a mental health challenge or in crisis, until professional help can be accessed.

This mental health awareness training aims to bridge the crucial gap between noticing a young person's or youth's distress and connecting them with appropriate care, ultimately promoting mental well-being within our youth and young people communities.

This certification program is tailored for those supporting young people, you will learn to identify the signs and symptoms of various mental health issues in youth, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders. Specific topics covered include understanding risk factors and warning signs in young people, and developing a 5-step action plan for youth in distress. You will gain practical skills in how to approach and support a young person in distress, how to listen non-judgmentally, how to give reassurance and information relevant to youth, how to encourage appropriate professional help for young people, and how to encourage self-help and other support strategies suitable for youth.

Mental Health First Aid differs from regular physical First Aid primarily in its focus. While regular First Aid addresses immediate physical injuries and illnesses, Mental Health First Aid focuses on providing initial support to individuals experiencing mental health problems or crises.

Both types of First Aid training aim to provide immediate help until professional assistance can be accessed, but one deals with the body and the other with the mind and emotional well-being. MHFA training equips you to respond to mental health emergencies.

Mental Health First Aid is not a substitute for therapy or counseling. The key difference lies in the level and goal of intervention. Mental Health First Aiders are trained to recognize the signs of mental health challenges and offer initial support and guidance to connect individuals with appropriate professional help, such as therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists. Therapy and counseling, on the other hand, are ongoing professional treatments aimed at diagnosing and addressing mental illnesses over time. MHFA provides immediate mental health support, while therapy offers long-term mental health treatment.

Across diverse industries, many employers are making Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification a requirement for employment, while others pursue this valuable mental health training for their personal and professional development.

Anyone can benefit from taking a Mental Health First Aid course. The target audience is broad and includes individuals from all walks of life who want to learn how to support others experiencing mental health difficulties. This mental health training is particularly valuable for: parents, teachers, healthcare professionals (non-mental health specialists), employers, first responders, community leaders, and anyone who interacts with youth in the public.

Yes, you can read more about different types of variations of MHFA available in Canada on our blog!

Yes, upon successful completion of a Mental Health First Aid course, participants receive a certificate of completion, certifying them as Mental Health First Aiders. The validity of this certification comes from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Although your Mental Health First Aid certificate has no expiration date, keeping up-to-date with the latest best practices in mental health is highly recommended. Consider a refresher every few years for optimal effectiveness.

If you're looking for a Mental Health First Aid refresher course, iMindify advises exploring our diverse range of Mental Health First Aid training options.

No prior experience or specific qualifications are required to take a Mental Health First Aid course. The program is designed for the general public and aims to provide foundational knowledge and skills in mental health support. Anyone with an interest in learning how to help someone experiencing a mental health problem is encouraged to participate in this training.

Mental Health First Aid is a participant-centered learning journey. The format blends a self-directed module with interactive, facilitator-led training. You'll benefit from lively group discussions, practical application through scenario-based activities and role-playing to master the MHFA action plan, and dedicated time for questions and answers.

Our interactive online mental health training aims to create a comfortable and supportive space for building your mental health first aid skills.

While Mental Health First Aid courses often involve discussions and scenario-based learning, you will not be expected or pressured to share your personal experiences with mental health challenges. The focus is on learning how to support others. However, some participants may choose to share voluntarily if they feel comfortable doing so. The training environment aims to be respectful and supportive of everyone's comfort levels regarding personal disclosure about mental health.

If you feel uncomfortable during any part of the Mental Health First Aid training, it's important to communicate this to the facilitator. Certified MHFA facilitators are trained to create a safe and supportive learning environment and can offer support or adjust activities as needed. You are always in control of the level of your participation, and it's okay to take breaks or step back if you feel overwhelmed. The goal of the mental health training is to empower you, not to cause distress.

Our accredited training portfolio features programs such as MHFA: Standard, The Working Mind, and Workplace Psychological Health & Safety. Furthermore, we are expanding our offerings with self-directed options and additional accredited programs from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

You can register in MHFA: Adults Supporting Youth by clicking here!