The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that one in every five Canadians experiences a mental health problem within a given year. While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes towards individuals living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves and from providing appro- priate support to people around them.

Course 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

• Have conversations that encourage a 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