Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Essentials
MHFA Essentials offers a strong foundation in MHFA principles without formal assessment or certification—making it an ideal option for individuals, teams, or communities seeking meaningful, time-efficient training.
Through the course, participants will:
- Increase Mental Health Awareness
- Understand stigma, diagnostic labelling, and barriers to helping
- Learn how to use the ALGES framework to support
- Learn effective communication techniques
- Learn reflective Self-Awareness
- Review mental health support resource mapping
MHFA Essentials includes:
- Define Mental Health and recognize indicators of mental health across the continuum.
- Apply the ALGES framework in scenarios of declining mental health and crisis.
- Develop effective interaction skills, including effective listening, non-judgmental communication skills, and application of reassurance and sharing of information.
- Explain recovery-oriented approaches to providing support.
- Recognize stigmatizing language and practice respectful alternatives.
- Reflect on personal attitudes and biases that contribute to stigma.
- Understand risks and limitations associated with diagnostic labeling.
- Identify personal self-care strategies using the Three Pillars of Self-Care
- Recognize when self-care is needed and how to integrate it into daily life, and commit to actions to maintain personal well-being
Learn how to use ALGES
MHFA actions ALGES provide a framework for supporting someone in distress: first approach them, assess for any crisis, and offer immediate help if needed. Then, listen without judgment, give reassurance and information, and encourage both professional help and other supports like family, friends, or self-care strategies. Finally, the first aider must also practice self-care to manage the emotional impact of providing help.
- Approach the person, assess, and assist with any crisis
- Listen and communicate non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage the person to reach out to supports
- Self-care for the first aider
“Before taking MHFA, I always worried I wouldn’t know the right thing to say if someone was struggling. Learning the ALGES action plan gave me a clear framework and the confidence to step in and support people when they need it most. It’s such a practical, essential tool – I carry it with me in every conversation now.”
– MHFA Participant
Course Overview
- Welcome and Introductions: Participants set group expectations and create a safe, respectful space for learning together.
- Goals of Mental Health First Aid: This section outlines the course objectives and clarifies the role and responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider.
- What is Mental Health: Participants explore definitions of mental health, the impact of stigma, and learn to recognize mental health on a continuum.
- Elements of ALGES: Learners are introduced to the ALGES framework, a step-by-step guide for offering support during mental health challenges, focusing on empathy, communication, and appropriate resources.
- Mental Health First Aid for Declining Mental Health: Using real-life scenarios, participants practice applying ALGES to support people experiencing early signs of mental health decline.
- Self-Care for Mental Health First Aiders: This module emphasizes the importance of caring for your own mental health and building sustainable, personalized self-care routines.
- MHFA for Crisis Situations: Participants learn to recognize and respond to mental health crises, including suicide risk and psychosis, using the ALGES approach.
- Wrap-up and Closing: The course ends with a reflection on key takeaways, commitment to self-care, and steps for continued learning and support.
As an Occupational Therapist working primarily in long term disability case management, Leah has the privilege of providing supportive, strength based rehab services to individuals returning to work following illness or injury. It is through working with so many amazing, resilient clients that her passion for mental health immerged, particularly with respect to mental health issues in the workplace. Mental Health First Aid has provided Leah with the opportunity to not only open up the conversation around mental health in her own workplace but also provide concrete, helpful strategies to those she has trained.
Fees
- QNET Members: $349.00 + GST | QNET member list
- Non-Members: $399.00 + GST | Join QNET
Please review event Terms & Conditions
Cancellations (by the attendee) must be received in writing no later than 8 days prior to the course start.
Partners
Funding provided by The Manitoba government.
Course Credits
- An optional one day course (7 credit hours) in the 70 credit hour QNET Certificate in Management Development (CMD).
- Eligible for credit in the CAM:OE (Certificate in Applied Management: Organizational Effectiveness) in partnership with the University of Manitoba, Continuing Education
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