Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack — we’d start CPR or call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or showing signs of alcohol use disorder.

Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

Program description:

Adult Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based course that teaches participants:

• How to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Signs and symptoms for a variety of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, and deliberate self-injury.
• Awareness and understanding of the impact mental health and substance use stigma can have.
• How to assist those in need to get help from a health professional.

Adult Mental Health First Aid includes:

• Two (2) hours of online, self-paced learning*
• Six (6) hours of live instruction led by Purdue Extension staff. 
• A Mental Health First Aid participant manual hard copy.

* Participants must complete the online self-paced learning at least 48 hours before attending the live instruction. Similar to becoming certified in CPR, participants must attend and participate in all course content and activities to be certified in adult mental health first aid.