Community Mental Health Training
Mental Health First Aid (Standard)
What is Mental Health First Aid training?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based, certificate training program created by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and designed to teach individuals how to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem. The goal is to help individuals recognize the signs of mental health issues, offer assistance, and guide the affected person toward appropriate professional help if needed.
The 9 hour (7 hours live in class and 2 hour self-direct module) training covers a range of mental health concerns, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, and suicidal thoughts. Mental Health First Aid is not a substitute for professional mental health care but aims to empower individuals to respond effectively in the immediate situation and to connect people in crisis with appropriate help.
Why is Community Mental Health First Aid training important?
The Stats
More than 1 in 3 Canadians are taking time off work as a result of mental health challenges, with over a half of those off for a month or more and the average time off being 12 days per year (Future Skills Centre, 2023). Government of Canada has claimed that 30% of all disability claims are related to mental health problems and illness, with spending reaching over 50 billion dollars per year as a result! The Government of Canada endorses the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA, 2024) training as an effective and recognized tool to support mental health (canada.ca, 2018).
What are the Concerns MHFA Training Addresses
Mental Health and Substance Use problems are common. 1 in 5 people in Canada are currently living with a mental health disorder; that’s 20% in any room. Professional help is not always on hand. At some point our lives, everyone will struggle with their mental health. Individuals trained in MHFA are given the tools to provide immediate support until professionals can become involved. Family members, friends and those who work in the helping profession often don’t know how to respond during crises and when someone is struggling. Many people don’t respond for fear of doing or saying the wrong thing; MHFA training gives participants the tools and confidence to respond. Stigma creates a barrier to accessing support. Talking about it openly in all aspects of our lives decreases this barrier and removes the stigma. Many people are not well-informed. Myths continue to be prevalent, along with the fear that those with mental health challenges are violent. Increased dialogue increases people both seeking and offering support.
What are the Benefits of Mental Health First Aid Training?
The ways that it will help me better support individuals I care about, or work with, as well as my own well-being.
Understanding Mental Health
Participants learn about various mental health disorders, their signs, symptoms, and the prevalence of mental health struggles; resulting in increased confidence.
Developing Mental Health Literacy
The training provides information to reduce stigma and increase understanding of mental health, fostering supportive environments and increased well-being.
Recognizing
Warning Signs
Participants are taught to identify signs of mental health distress and substance use problems or crises in others as well as themselves.
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Providing Initial Support
Intervention strategies are taught in order to offer initial assistance to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, as well as where to access support.
Guiding Others to Seek Help
The training emphasizes the importance of encouraging the affected person to seek professional help and provides information on available resources and services.
Reduces Stigma
With an increased understanding of mental health and substance use disorders, and strategies to support, stigma decreases significantly, enhancing emotional safety in all life domains.
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Learning Self-care and Support Strategies
Participants learn how to support individuals in developing their coping strategies and seek appropriate help while increasing their own well-being and self-care.
At Will Therapy Services....
WE HAVE Extensive
TRAINING IN
MENTAL HEALTH
WE MAKE THE TRAINING FunAND Dynamic
WE Tailor
Training TO THE INDIVIDUAL GROUP NEEDS
WE Offer THE TRAINING IN PERSON LOCALLY
OUR Trainers ARE DOWN TO EARTH AND PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING OTHERS
Small Group SIZES ALLOW FOR MORE ONE ON ONE LEARNING AND SUPPORT
What makes Will Therapy Services stand out from other organizations who provide Mental Health First Aid trainings?
Many services and supports have moved to being strictly virtual over the last few years. We recognize the impact that face-to-face, in-person training, has on learning and retention of information, as well as engagement of our participants. As such, we're committed to providing in-person training on-site, at any location within Waterloo Region and surrounding areas.
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Our facilitators have decades of hands-on experience working with complex mental health needs in various areas, and are incredibly passionate about learning, teaching and help others. They are exceptionally down-to-earth and approachable, making the training experience relaxed, enjoyable and comfortable. There are various learning tools used throughout the training in order to keep the audience engaged and interactive, ensuring the learning styles of all participants are met. Our trainers are open to sharing their own experiences, in order to enhance learning and decrease stigma even further. Our hope is to gather information ahead of time about the individual needs of the group, in order to tailor the training to the audience we are working with, as much as possible. Group sizes are kept small in order to ensure there is ample one-on-one support throughout the training.
Who is Community Mental Health First Aid Training for?
EVERYONE!!!!
We all know someone in our lives with a mental health or substance use challenge, although few of us know how to help. Whether the person struggling is our child, family member, friend or co-worker, we often feel helpless and scared. Mental Health First Aid (Standard) provides you the tools to confidently help anyone in a mental health or substance use crisis, while decreasing fear, positively enhancing your own well-being, all while learning about available local supports and resources and decreasing stigma.
HELPING PROFESSIONALS
As someone who works in the helping profession, you are often supporting individuals during periods of immense vulnerability and struggle. As such, mental health and substance use challenges are often present. MHFA training provides you the tools to not only identify the presence of challenges, but to respond confidently, ensuring your clients' needs are met, while reducing the potential vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and resulting burnout that helpers often experience.
