Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Increase your awareness! Save a life!
What is MHFA?
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, MHFA teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
These evidence-based, early-intervention courses, administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, use community-specific scenarios, activities and videos to teach the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms, provide support and connect to resources.
These 8-hour trainings can be offered in-person or online, and can be taught in one day or broken down into two half-day sessions, or four 2-hour sessions.
Offered all around the world, more than 4 million people in the US alone have been trained in MHFA. Join the next 4 million and be prepared to provide support for those around you who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis situation by registering for one of our upcoming courses, or by bringing a training to your agency or organization.
Adult & Youth MHFA Courses
Adult MHFA
Designed for adults supporting other adults in the home, workplace, community, or healthcare setting, this teaches participants how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges. It covers conditions like anxiety, depression, psychosis, addiction and suicide, and teaches practical strategies for offering initial support and connecting individuals to appropriate care. The course also helps reduce stigma, empowers family and friends to respond effectively, and promotes self-help techniques for staying mentally well. Adult MHFA plays a crucial role in creating informed & supportive families, workplaces and communities.
Youth MHFA
Designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help youth who are experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include bullying, ACEs, anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, ADHD, eating disorders and suicide. If you live or work with youth, this training is for you!
Teen MHFA
Teen MHFA: Empowering the Next Generation
Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens in grades 9-12 how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers.
Adolescence is a time of critical change and development, and the time when mental health challenges may first emerge. Those challenges may be the cause for falling grades, problems with close relationships and substance use. Take comfort knowing that your students will be prepared to provide support for their peers as well as better cope with mental health challenges themselves — and get assistance from a trusted adult.
Lotus is able to offer this to schools and youth-serving organizations throughout Northern California in just three 90-minute sessions, or six 45-minute sessions.
Testimonials
Get In Touch With Us
To find out more about what all we can offer your school, agency, or organization, contact us today.
