Standard MHFA is a 12-hour course that teaches you how to help yourself and someone you care about, who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
The training helps you to identify, understand and respond to the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses, thus enabling in early intervention and prevention of mental health problems in your family and community. Evaluations on the impact of the training reveals that the participants could better manage their mental health as well. Moreover, their testimonies state that through practicing first aid skills, lives have been saved.
What do you Learn
A cluster of mental illnesses like Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Psychosis and Substance Use Problems.
The risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.
Mental health system and situation in our country.
Where to seek appropriate help which includes recognized professionals, peers and other resources.
Practical skills based on a 5 step Action Plan, on how to help someone developing a mental health problem.
How to respond to a crisis situation like suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury etc.
Why become a Mental Health First Aider
Mental Health Problems are Common
1 in 10 people in India experience any mental illness in a given year (NMHS, 2016).
Educate Yourself and Be Prepared
Mental health problems can happen to anyone, anytime. Be prepared to appropriately help a family member, friend, or a colleague right on time.
We all have Mental Health
There is no good health without mental health. Your mental health is as important as your physical health.
Your Mental Health Matters
Knowledge on mental health helps you to manage your mental health better, addressing it at early stages
Benefits of the SMHFA Course
- Certificate of Completion as a Mental Health First Aider.
- Standard Mental Health First Aid Manual, for any future reference.
- Free online Accreditation test valid for 3 years.
- Member of Accredited Mental Health First Aiders private Facebook Group.
- MHFA Accreditation which can be added as a skill in resume.
- Added value to become a Mental Health First Aid Officer at Workplace.
- Access to researches, studies and articles on mental health in MHFA India website.
What MHFA does not do
We do not teach people to become therapists, diagnose or provide counselling. Instead, we teach people to understand mental illnesses and its symptoms, to reach confidently to the one in need and know how to help even in crises.