Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) provides the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for participants to recognize changes in mental health, respond supportively, and apply practical actions for declining mental health and crisis situations. It helps participants build confidence, reduce stigma, and enhance their own mental health.
Mental Health First Aid is offered in two course types: Certification and Essentials
both options are available in person and virtually.
An innovative and leading-edge program in the sector, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) now offers official certification.
This in-depth course, upon completion and assessment, provides participants:
- A nationally recognized MHFA Certification that is valid for 3 years.
- Increase Mental Health Awareness
- Understand stigma, diagnostic labelling, and barriers to helping
- Learn effective communication techniques
The 2-day format of the MHFA Certification allows for robust, scenario-based training on the identification and support of declining mental health and crises, and provides a deeper understanding of mental health disorders and influences.
A suite of courses, focused on core knowledge and practical skills. The courses do not lead to Certification.
Within the Essentials suite is a streamlined one-day course as well as adaptations to support unique populations and specific roles, including for Veteran Communities
Essentials offers a strong foundation in MHFA principles without formal assessment or certification—making it an ideal option for individuals, teams, or communities seeking meaningful, time-efficient training.
Choosing the course that best suits your needs
| * | Certification | Essentials |
|---|---|---|
| Increase Mental Health Awareness | ||
| Define Mental Health and recognize indicators of mental health across the continuum. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Distinguish between mental: health, illness, health conditions. | ✓ | |
| Understand factors influencing mental health and mental health disorders in Canada. | ✓ | |
| Explain the Two Continua Model of mental health. | ✓ | |
| Improve Confidence to Help | ||
| Apply the ALGES framework in scenarios of declining mental health and crisis. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Develop effective interaction skills, including effective listening, non-judgmental communication skills, and application of reassurance and sharing of information. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Explain recovery-oriented approaches to providing support. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Identify barriers to MHFA, and questions to initiate supportive conversations. | ✓ | |
| Develop a list of resources and supports. | ✓ | |
| Decrease Mental Health Stigma | ||
| Recognize stigmatizing language and practice respectful alternatives. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reflect on personal attitudes and biases that contribute to stigma. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Understand risks and limitations associated with diagnostic labeling. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Explain stigma, including self, public, and structural, and strategies to reduce. | ✓ | |
| Enhance Mental Health | ||
| Identify personal self-care strategies using the Three Pillars of Self-Care | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recognize when self-care is needed and how to integrate it into daily life, and commit to actions to maintain personal well-being | ✓ | ✓ |
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule training.
Raven Workplace Mental Health Training and Consulting 