Virtual Mental Health First Aid

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 those living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves, and from providing appropriate support to people around them.

Course Objectives

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental wellbeing, or a mental health crisis. Course participants will learn how to:

• Recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental wellbeing or a mental health crisis
• Have conversations that encourage a person to:
• Talk about declines in their mental wellbeing
• Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental wellbeing
• Reach out to the appropriate support
• Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis
• Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental wellbeing

Topics & Agenda

Module 1: Self Directed

Upon registering for the course, participants will receive an access code to complete an online learning module. This module is a prerequisite in order to attend the live sessions.

•  Introduction to the course
• Introduction to MHFA actions

Module 2: Virtual Classroom - April 8, 2021, 1 - 4 p.m. CST

• Introduction to the course
• Introduction to MHFA actions

Module 3: Virtual Classroom - April 9, 2021, 1 - 4 p.m. CST

• Discussion on using MHFA actions for self-care
• Practice using MHFA actions in crisis situations