This year marks 25 years of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) — a milestone that invites us not only to celebrate, but to reflect. For me, that reflection centers on both my role as a Client Success Partner for MHFA and my identity as a mom. I’ve always cared about helping others, but it wasn’t until I took Youth MHFA that I truly felt equipped to offer meaningful support. It gave me practical tools, greater confidence and the ability to show up for someone in need.
When I first joined the National Council’s MHFA team 2 1/2 years ago, I didn’t just step into a new role. I stepped into meaningful work that is changing lives every day, including mine.
In my role as a Client Success Partner, I build lasting relationships with organizations that are leading the way in bringing MHFA to their communities. Many of these partners have been doing this work for years. They’re expanding the program’s presence across their states and creating lasting local impact. I serve as their main point of connection, supporting their growth, helping their Instructors and program teams feel confident with our systems, and ensuring they always feel supported as they continue to expand MHFA’s reach.
It isn’t just about the millions of people trained. It’s about the ripple effect: the students who feel seen, parents who feel prepared, colleagues who feel supported.
This work also connects deeply to who I am outside of my role. I’m a mom of two incredible kids, and their mental health is just as important to me as their physical health. When I first started at MHFA, I attended an in-person Youth MHFA training in Loveland, Colorado. That day changed me. Sitting in that room, I realized something powerful: Many of us, at some point, will interact with a young person who is struggling. And in those moments, it matters so much that we show up — not with all the answers, but with empathy, practical skills and the reassurance that no young person is ever truly alone. That experience continues to inspire me daily, and I believe with all my heart that every person should take this training.
As we celebrate 25 years of MHFA, I find myself reflecting on what true success looks like. It isn’t just about the millions of people trained. It’s about the ripple effect: the students who feel seen, parents who feel prepared, colleagues who feel supported. An Instructor leads a class of learners, those learners carry their knowledge into their families and communities, and slowly, there is a larger shift toward compassion. At the heart of it, I’m reminded of the simple but powerful call to “love thy neighbor.” For me, MHFA is one way we live that out — showing care, extending grace and making sure no one has to face their challenges alone.
