FAQs • What is Mental Health First Aid?

What is Mental Health First Aid?: Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training that teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it helps trainees identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

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Mental Health First Aid

1. What is Mental Health First Aid?: Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training that teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it helps trainees identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

2. Who should take a Mental Health First Aid course?: Mental Health First Aid is intended for a variety of audiences: friends and family of individuals with mental illness or addiction, public safety, businesses and primary care workers, school and college leadership, faith communities, or anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and addiction.

3. How long does it take to complete the Mental Health First Aid program?: The 8-hour class is typically conducted as a two-day seminar (two half-day classes). Certification lasts three years.

4. Is there evidence to support the effectiveness of the program?: Yes, there is strong evidence of outcomes. Mental Health First Aid USA is included on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP).
You can also visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org for additional information.

5. How many participants are needed to hold a class?: A minimum of 8 participants are needed to conduct a session, with a maximum of 22. If less than 8 participants are registered for a particular session, the class will be canceled and participants will be notified to register for the next available session.

6. What types of crisis interventions are covered?: Trainees are taught how to apply a 5-step strategy in situations such as helping someone through a panic attack, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, or assisting an individual who has overdosed. Mental Health First Aid training provides the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy rather than to just hear about it. This simple experience can make it easier to actually apply the knowledge in a real-life situation.

7. Is there a cost to take the class?: Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental services is committed to training our County government workforce and other community members and partners at no cost.