Mental Health First Aid - Adult Certification

Issued by Merrimack College

Merrimack College Mental Health First Aid for Adults Certification includes a minimum of 8 hours of training. Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Once complete, participants are registered with the National MHFA program and certification lasts two years.

Type Certification
Level Foundational
Time Hours
Cost Paid

Additional Details

Skills

Earning Criteria

Mental Health First Aid for Adults teaches participants how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary. Participants secure the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone in or approaching crisis and connect them with the appropriate help.
Participants engage in dialogue to learn common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use encountered by adults. Participants will be able to enhance their communication skills as they work through scenarios and group conversations to reduce stigmas associated with mental health and substance abuse and use.
Participants learn strategies to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges and offer initial support. In addition, participants learn self-help strategies for staying mentally well. Participants also learn how to administer Naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose.
Participants learn how to apply the ALGEE Action Plan, which is how to assess interactions for risk of suicide or harm, listen non-judgmentally, give reassurance and information, encourage appropriate professional help, and encourage other support and self-help strategies.

Standards

Research & Evidence Base

Mental Health First Aid is an international training program proven to be effective. Studies also show that the program reduces the social distance created by negative attitudes and perceptions of individuals with mental illnesses.