In 2022, nearly 49,476 people in the U.S. died by suicide — an average of one person every 11 minutes — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. And for every suicide … Read more
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)’s fast growth — building on the over 4.5 million people trained across the U.S. — wouldn’t be possible without its dedicated Instructors, like Johnny Smith. A retired first responder, Smith became certified as an Instructor in 2022, teaching 12 courses since. With his passion for the program and strong belief … Read more
Having taught over 30 MHFA, MHFA instructor Sarah Haupt recently reflected on her special connection with the older adult community.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this year, we invite you to take four ways forward for mental health.
Mental Health First Aid’s (MHFA) main goal is to teach individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2024) – In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in St. Louis on April 14, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Humana Foundation, WestCare Foundation and four MHFA Instructors and Coordinators for their significant efforts … Read more
Everyday, our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) community powers our mission of ensuring that mental wellbeing is a reality for everyone. MHFA Coordinators, who help Instructors run their courses seamlessly, are important to our community and our work. MHFA Coordinator Jasmine Breeden is celebrating a significant milestone for her organization, WellPower, a National Council for … Read more
Use these tips to move your workplace away from routine stress and toward resiliency.
The 2024 MHFA Summit and NatCon24 will connect you with countless people from across the country, including experts in our field and sought-after speakers who will leave you feeling rejuvenated and truly inspired.
As an Adult/Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, you can empower your community to be the difference for those experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Being an Instructor is immensely rewarding.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing today announced a new training program to help employers reduce the negative impact of workplace fatigue and stress among employees.
For Seva Reilly, becoming a Mental Health First Aider has been a transformative tool, enabling her to support her colleagues and community.
It’s essential to create a thriving workforce with engaged employees. That’s where Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) at Work courses come in.
January is Mental Wellness Month – the perfect time to recharge and prioritize your mental health, while encouraging others to do the same. With studies showing that almost half of adults (46.4 percent) will experience a mental health challenge during their lifetime in the United Sates, your commitment to advocating for mental health is needed … Read more
For some, the start of the year is a prime opportunity to wipe the slate clean and set goals. For others, the thought of making New Year’s resolutions triggers a heavy eye roll. If you’re in the latter group, it’s OK and understandable! In a way, not making resolutions can be freeing. Why? Because accepting … Read more
As the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, let’s lift our mental health! With 29% of people having expected to make a mental health-related New Year’s resolution for 2023, you’re bound to be in good company. It’s the goal that can #BeTheDifference for you and your community. Forbes reported that the top resolutions people make … Read more
From family gatherings to financial pressures, the holiday season can take a toll on your mental health.
Becoming a Mental Health First Aider was a turning point in Brianna Hauser’s life. Her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence shaped her perspective on the importance of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and fueled her determination to help others. At first, she didn’t know where to start, but her journey to #BeTheDifference began … Read more
Recovering from a substance use challenge, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, is a process with ups and downs. It can be a rollercoaster ride for the person in recovery as well as their family, friends, peers and colleagues. Unfortunately, people in recovery from a substance or alcohol use disorder often return to using the substance. … Read more
Sydney Snow has taken Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) by storm. Since receiving her certification in July 2023, Sydney has swiftly transitioned from a new Instructor to a guiding light within the MHFA community, teaching four classes with a blend of passion and prudence. Her early and vigorous dedication to teaching immediately distinguished her. It … Read more
Content Warning: This blog contains sensitive content that may be distressing to some readers. Topics discussed include sexual assault, grief, and references to 9/11. Reader discretion is advised. If you find these subjects distressing or uncomfortable, we encourage you to prioritize your wellbeing and consider avoiding this content. Mental Health First Aider Miosotys Santiago … Read more
Working retail during the holidays used to cause great stress to Andrew Smith. The increase in customer stress and traffic flow on the sales floor compounded operational difficulties creating a less than stable environment. “You move through more stock than any other time of year, which increases every element of work as a retailer,” said … Read more
Tragic events – from school shootings to natural disasters – can make us feel out of sorts and depressed afterward. Hope may seem lost, whether you’re directly or indirectly affected by the situation. Whether tragedy strikes locally, nationally or internationally, your mental health can take a hit. Even anniversaries of traumatic events can cause mental … Read more
Losing someone you love is never easy. The loss can take a toll on a person’s mental wellbeing as grief and memories flood the mind. Feelings can range from sadness and loneliness to anger, shock and numbness. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Manual says bereavement, or feelings of sadness and grief that occur with … Read more
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, about 6% of people have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But PTSD affects more than military members and veterans. Just one event can have a lifetime impact on a person’s overall wellbeing and their capacity to cope. PTSD can occur in any person who experiences a traumatic … Read more
The American Cancer Society uses the term “survivor” to refer to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, no matter where they are in the course of the disease. Being a breast cancer survivor has opened my eyes to how much stigma still exists and how often people do not know how best to offer … Read more
I first heard about teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) late summer of 2018. The National Council was piloting the program across the country. As a manager at North Texas Behavioral Health Authority in Dallas, I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to get involved. It was refreshing to hear stories about the students who … Read more
It’s World Mental Health Day! Each year, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) joins the World Health Organization to raise awareness about mental health around the world and support those experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. In honor of the observance, we are sharing 10 achievable ways you can take action to protect and promote … Read more
Life has a rhythm. Some seasons are busier than others, some are quieter and more predictable. Workloads ebb and flow. Relationships evolve. And then there are the curveballs thrown our way. Our lives change no matter what, and that change can be hard. But adjusting how we look at change can improve our attitude. Instead … Read more
With 14 years of experience in the corrections industry, plus family in the field, Kristen Thompson has a bead on what goes on inside correctional facilities. Thompson, who is a field services training manager for the Wyoming Department of Corrections, had a parent who worked in corrections, and her spouse also works in corrections. So, … Read more
Mental Health First Aid USA only offers trainings to employees based in the United States at this time. Working in the retail industry is downright tough. It can be mentally and emotionally draining for many reasons, such as interacting with customers and working long, physically demanding shifts — not to mention the strains of job … Read more
Do your employees know what to do or say if a coworker seems to be struggling with mental health challenges? Consider this: 40% of employees have reported that their jobs have had a negative impact on their mental health, and 75% of employees indicated that stigma was present in their workplaces. These numbers continue to … Read more
Being part of this has been awesome. As a trainer, I get to help people really see the importance of Youth Mental Health First Aid. I am so passionate about this program and I want to be sure that everyone — teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers — has an opportunity to be engaged. Getting … Read more
Our primary goal as educators is to help our kids learn. However, sometimes there may be something going on in their life that interferes with their ability to learn. Youth Mental Health First Aid helps teachers and other school personnel recognize the signs and symptoms of students who may be struggling and get students the … Read more
My district has over 8,000 employees, so you can imagine it was a lot of work to meet the goal of training 80% of them in Youth Mental Health First Aid in one year. But it was 100% worth it. After every training, I would hear from teachers how grateful they were for the opportunity. … Read more
The first day of school is a welcome reprieve for many parents. Juggling childcare, work and summer activities can be flat-out exhausting! But, while parents may look forward to school-year routines, some teachers may have a hard time gearing up to be back in the classroom. Throughout the year, teachers are tasked with setting up … Read more
A staggering 90% of police officers surveyed reported stigma as a barrier to seeking mental health help. Some of that stigma stems from what they, and other people in public safety, witness as part of their jobs. “Just as the general public has stigmas surrounding mental health, public safety officers have even greater stigma,” says … Read more
Our nation has a youth mental health crisis. One in six youth and adolescents will experience a mental health condition in any given time, nearly half of teens (44%) report feeling persistently sad and hopeless and 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14. Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive approach. Mental Health First … Read more
When you have substance use challenges, navigating summertime social gatherings can be difficult. It can be hard to strike the balance between wanting to spend time with friends and family when you know there could be temptations, such as alcohol, and, in some cases, recreational substances. So, how do you hang out with people you … Read more
Older Adults experience mental health challenges about the same rate as the general public. According to the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, one in four older adults has a mental health issue. And just like people of all ages, you can elevate an older person’s quality of life by learning how to listen, encourage and … Read more
More than 4.5 million people have been trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). That is cause for celebration! Of course, we are thrilled that our community of First Aiders is growing. But we measure success in more than numbers. MHFA has one clear and simple goal: to give individuals the skills to identify, understand … Read more
The challenges people who live in rural communities are vastly different than those who live in urban areas. What is gained in wide, open spaces is traded for convenience. Trips to the grocery store take more planning and walking or taking public transportation is often not an option. More significant, access to medical services — … Read more
Anthony Campbell admits he used to be a “yeller.” Whether it was the way he was raised or his military background that instilled the behavior — probably a bit of both, he said — taking a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course helped him realize there were other effective ways to communicate. “I used to … Read more
