Mental Health First Aid

made possible thanks to grant funding from:

Request Your Organization’s MFHA Training Today!

About Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Mental Health First Aid courses are for anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all.

Thanks to grant funding by Florida Blue Foundation, Peace River Center offers free Mental Health First Aid training to businesses and organizations in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.

Mental Health First Aid Matters

Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism.

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.

Just as CPR training helps a person with no clinical training assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps a person assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis such as contemplating suicide. In both situations, the goal is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives.

What do you learn at MHFA?

A single 5-step strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help and other supports.

Who should take the course?

Anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and addiction! MHFA is intended for all people and community organizations including professional associations and civic clubs, colleges, faith communities, and more.

What crisis interventions are covered?

A variety of situations including a panic attack, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, or assisting an individual who has overdosed. An important component of the course is the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy rather than to just learn about it.

Mental Health First Aid Training Interest Form

Thanks to free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses provided by Florida Blue Foundation grant funding we can all be more aware and more informed about how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Please complete the information below and someone will contact you about scheduling a free Mental Health First Aid course.
Name*
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Business or Organization Name*
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Within your organization, how many people are interested in Mental Health First Aid training?*
How did you hear about this workshop?*
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