No Cost Mental Health First Aid Course – Sessions Added

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Three additional certification cohorts are now available after the first sessions were filled within a week. The new registration deadline is Aug. 16 by noon.

Thanks to a LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation grant, provider members can access an online Mental Health First Aid certification course for free through Winona State University. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused trauma and stress for staff in long-term care settings. As one method to prevent crisis and burnout, we encourage LeadingAge Minnesota members to take advantage of this opportunity.

What is Mental Health First Aid?
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is part of a suite of internationally acclaimed and evidence-based, accredited training programs that empower and equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis such as being suicidal.

What is the Course Outline?
Mental Health First Aid USA is an eight-hour online course that takes place over two days, teaching a five-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professionals, peers, and self-help care. Participants learn the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems and the importance of early intervention. Most importantly, the program teaches individuals how to help someone in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.

Register Now: Each cohort (see dates and times below) is limited to 15 participants. The eight-hour course consists of two three-and-a-half-hour in-person virtual sessions. It requires two hours of self-paced, online prep coursework to be completed before the training. The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 16 at noon.

REGISTER for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Cohort	Session 1	Session 2	Time
4	Tuesday, Oct. 5	Wednesday, Oct. 6	2 – 5:30 p.m.
5	Wednesday, Oct. 6	Thursday, Oct. 7	2 – 5:30 p.m.
6	Tuesday, Oct.12	Wednesday, Oct. 13	6:30 - 10 a.m.

 

Participants must complete all self-paced prework and attend all in-person virtual sessions to become Mental Health First Aid Certified. Upon completing the course, each participant will receive a Mental Health First Aid 'e-card' and the digital Mental Health First Aid Participant Manual.

Questions can be directed to Jenna Kellerman at jkellerman@leadingagemn.org.