Mental Health Training for Military, Veterans and Their Families
For millions of people in uniform, the fighting doesn’t stop when they leave active duty. Promote healing and resilience for them and their loved ones.
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If you are having thoughts of suicide, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1. See more resources for military and veteran mental health.
How Mental Health First Aid Helps
Over 4 in 10 service members and veterans experience mental health challenges, which can strain families and lead to isolation, money problems and stress at home. Our evidence-based training teaches you how to support them with care.
Understand Their Challenges
Combat and military life can lead to serious mental health issues. Learn what they’re going through so you can respond with empathy.
Build Trust
Service members are trained to stay tough. When leaders, peers and family talk openly about mental health, it helps them feel safe asking for help.
Reduce Stigma
Unsupportive military leadership can lead service members and veterans to internalize stigma. Change the way you talk about mental health, and make it OK to open up.
Increase Mental Health Literacy
Service members and veterans face challenges that their loved ones struggle to understand. Learn the signs of depression, PTSD and suicidal thoughts.
Step in With an Effective Plan
Service members and veterans are 57 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Learn our MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) so you know how to help in a crisis.
Support Recovery
Many families provide full-time care for their loved ones with PTSD or depression. With the right tools, you can offer hope and help veterans heal.
Who Should Take MHFA?
- Active service members
- Military leadership and staff
- Veterans service providers, including health care workers, VA staff and volunteers
- Military families and caregivers, including spouses and adult children
What You Learn
In this full-day training, you’ll learn how to address mental health and substance use challenges in service members, veterans and their families. The training covers anxiety, depression, mental and physical trauma, suicide, addiction and more. You’ll be able to:
- Understand the impact of mental health and substance use challenges on the wellbeing of service members and their families.
- Know the risk and protective factors for this group.
- Explain and use the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) in scenarios about service members and their families.
- Address stigma and explain that recovery is possible.
- Ensure safety and privacy during conversations.
- Choose methods for self-care for yourself and others.
Tousha Paxton-Barnes
U.S. Army Veteran
“So many people are out there wishing for something better, hoping that help will show up. That’s what Mental Health First Aid is — it is help to get people connected to care and ultimately to get them to a better place.”
Read more about Tousha’s experience being a Mental Health First Aider.
November 9, 2022
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