Instructor Certification Process
Want to earn your Mental Health First Aid Instructor certification? Join one of our dynamic 3-day trainings! You’ll gain confidence in teaching adult learners, master the MHFA curriculum and build the skills to engage all kinds of audiences.
Overview
To teach Mental Health First Aid, you must be certified by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. MHFA Instructor certification is earned through 2 hours of pre-work done at your own pace, followed by a 3-day interactive training and 1 hour of self-paced post-work. MHFA Instructor certification courses are offered all year long.
Host a Private Training
When you host a private training, your team will gain the skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, and learn how to teach these skills to others. Bring in our expert trainers and certify 6-16 MHFA Instructors. You’ll help foster a supportive environment in your organization.
teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Applicants
Instructor candidates can only apply as part of an approved teen Mental Health First Aid site. Before you apply for a tMHFA Instructor training your school or youth-serving organization must become an approved site. If you have a school or organization in mind, please complete the interest form. After the site is approved, you can apply to attend a 3-day tMHFA Instructor training.
Missouri and Maryland Residents
If you live in Missouri, please visit our state partner’s website to apply for their in-state Instructor trainings. If you live in Maryland, visit their website to apply for their in-state Instructor trainings.
Apply to Become an Instructor
The only credential Instructor applicants need is active First Aider certification. However, there are some qualities that help. Do you have work or personal experience with mental health or substance use challenges? Have you trained adult learners in the past? Do you believe your community deserves a strong support system and have a strategic plan to roll out MHFA? These are the qualities that make the best Instructors, the ones who change lives.
About Instructor Training
The training will teach you how to:
- Teach the MHFA curriculum with fidelity
- Teach the 5-step MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)
- Show the impact of mental health and substance use challenges
- Explain that recovery is possible
- Share self-help strategies
- Use MHFA technology
Instructor Training Process
The 5 steps to earning your Adult or Youth MHFA Instructor certification:
1
Become a certified First Aider in the curriculum you want to teach.
2
Complete your application
3
Activate your MHFA Connect Storefront account.
4
Complete your MHFA Instructor training.
Pre-work (2 hours)
MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) Review
MHFA Instructional Guiding Principles
Fidelity Standards
Instructor Preparation and Planning
Instructor Program Facilitation
Technology Tools and Skills
Preparation for Instructor-led Training
Instructor Training Day 1
Review information from the pre-work.
Review and discuss expectations for the Instructor candidate training.
Review and discuss certification process.
Discuss the resources and materials that an Instructor will use in their MHFA courses.
Discuss the impact of MHFA.
Complete the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) activity.
Review MHFA’s guiding principles.
Discuss the importance of teaching with fidelity.
Identify the vital facilitation skills needed for a MHFA Instructor.
Review the teach-back process and receive your teach-back assignment.
Instructor Training Day 2
Review the homework from Day 1.
Review and discuss expectations for the Instructor candidate training.
Prepare and practice for the teach-back.
Instructor Training Day 3
Deliver your teach-back.
Discuss MHFA policies and procedures.
Review roles and responsibilities for accessibility and accommodations.
Review how to prepare and facilitate a MHFA course.
Explore MHFA Connect and Submit-a-Course.
Review post-work assignments.
Celebrate!
Post-work (2 hours)
Review fidelity standards.
Review annual facilitation requirements.
Review accessibility and accommodation.
Review MHFA Connect troubleshooting/help Instructor resources
Review new course/new training creation process.
Review appropriate MHFA course reporting tools and functions.
Complete post-work assessment.
Complete post-work evaluation.
Access Your Certificate
You are now certified to teach In-person and Blended Adult or Youth MHFA courses!
5
Prepare to teach!
Expect to spend up to 40 hours over 90 days in self-paced, independent study.
Learn the content.
Learn the systems (MHFA Connect, Submit-a-Course, MHFA Connect Storefront).
Practice!
Take advantage of support tools (e.g., webinars, reminder emails).
Dual Certification
You don’t have to choose just one course to teach. You can get dual certified as an Adult and Youth MHFA Instructor by taking both trainings separately. To take the trainings, you just need active First Aider certification in both curricula.
Virtual Training Requirements
The following technology is required to join a virtual Instructor training:
- Computer: Windows or Apple computer (desktop or laptop) or a tablet with iOS, Android or Windows. Due to compatibility issues with Zoom, do not use a Chromebook for the live training sessions.
- Internal or external HD webcam.
- Internet connection: We recommend an internet connection speed of at least 5 Mbps (upload and download). You can test your internet speed at speedtest.net.
- Computer microphone and speakers:
- For the best experience, join the course from a tablet or computer. Joining via the Zoom mobile app is prohibited due to its limited capabilities.
- If your computer does not have a microphone and speakers, you can use the dial-in option from your phone for audio.
Bonus Course Content: Support Youth Who Have Experienced Trauma
After receiving your certification as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor or teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor, we’ll enroll you — at no charge — in Strong Resilient Youth: Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Trauma training. This free course trains educators and supportive adults with the knowledge and skills to support children and youth who have experienced trauma. To learn more, download the Strong Resilient Youth marketing flyer.
Download FlyerAttending an Instructor training does not guarantee that you will get certified. To do so, you must complete all the online course work, be present for the entire training, give a presentation and pass a test.
Transfer requests must be submitted in writing. If you want to transfer to another training, email your request at least 30 days before your scheduled start date with the location and dates of your new preferred training. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Multiple transfer requests, as well as transfers requested within 30 days of the event, will be subject to a change fee of $1,000. Transfers requested within 2 weeks of the event start date will be treated as cancellations.
Cancellations requested must be submitted in writing. Requests submitted within 30 days of the event will be subject to a change fee of $1,000. No refunds will be given if cancellation occurs within 2 weeks of the event. Refunds also will not be given to those who do not receive certification or do not complete the training and/or who are “no shows” to the training. Any registrant who still has not paid will be liable for full tuition. Non-attendance does not limit this liability.
Once certified, Instructors must teach the course at least 3 times a year to maintain their certification. Dual-certified Instructors must teach at least 3 courses a year, with at least 1 course from each curriculum (Adult and Youth). MHFA USA will provide ongoing technical assistance and marketing support to certified Instructors to help them share the course in their communities. Do you have questions about maintaining your Instructor certification? Contact us via the Request Assistance Form.
Take the next step
Every action can create a ripple effect that makes waves bigger than yourself. Apply to become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and help create a healthier, more caring community.
