What is Mental Health First Aid?

Purdue Extension has delivered over 100 Mental Health First Aid courses since 2018,

training more than 1,500 individuals.

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based program to educate individuals about how to interact with and support someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue or a crisis.

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid helps participants feel confident providing assistance and support to someone in distress.

Purdue Extension's Mental Health First Aid instructors are certified

by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Purdue Extension can bring this often life-saving course to your community, organization, or business. No prior training is required to participate.

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Sad woman

Adult Mental Health First Aid

Trains adults who want to help other adults

Introduces common mental health challenges and contexts
Reviews safe action planning steps
Covered topics include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidality
- Substance use
- Psychosis
- Trauma
- Self-care

thinking teen

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Trains ADULTS who interact with elementary through high school aged youth
Introduces common mental health challenges for young people
Reviews safe action planning steps
Covered topics include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use
- Psychosis
- Trauma and Resilience
- Self-care

Purdue Extension offers Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid courses in person at various Indiana counties, as well as virtual courses through Zoom. Please review the list of currently scheduled courses available for signup, and check back often to see new offerings. Registration is required to attend.

To inquire about hosting a course in your area, please Contact Us.

What Do I Learn?

Mental Health First Aid helps participants:

Recognize the signs and symptoms of several mental health issues
Gain new perspectives about the stigma surrounding mental health struggles
Learn how to start conversations with those at risk and to encourage them to seek help
Understand how to connect someone with appropriate professional and community resources
Identify adaptive coping strategies and establish a self-care action plan

For more information about Mental Health First Aid, visit: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Who Should Attend?

Mental Health First Aid is open to any adult who is interested to learn. No prior training or specific education is needed, and all experiences are welcome. Frequent attendees have included concerned family members and friends, faith-based leaders, farmers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, school personnel, and veterinary providers.

Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs):

Mental Health First Aid can offer contact continuing education hours for certain professionals. Purdue University is an approved provider of Category 1 Continuing Education for all of the following pursuant to Indiana Code 25-1-4-0.2:

- Mental Health Counselors and Associates
- Marriage and Family Therapists and Associates
- Social Workers, Clinical Social Workers and Associates
- Addiction Counselors, Clinical Addiction Counselors and Associates

All participants receive a certificate upon completion of the full course.

Mental Health Matters

It’s 11:30 a.m. and two coworkers sit down to lunch. One confesses he is going through a divorce and is struggling to cope. After strategic questions and lots of listening, his coworker suspects he may be suffering from depression. She reassures him that it’s common to have these feelings during major life changes, encourages him to spend time with supportive friends, and to seek professional help.

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