Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that one in every five Canadians experiences a mental health problem within a given year. While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes towards individuals living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves and from providing appropriate support to people around them.
Human resources professionals are often the first line of defense in addressing issues related to employees’ well-being and mental health. Yet they are often unprepared to identify or help someone with a mental health condition — even though mental health problems become more common than heart, lung and cancer diseases combined.
This program will help HR professionals to understand how to approach the sensitive mental health discussions with their employees.
Course participants will learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and encourage that person to:
- Talk about declines in their mental well-being
- Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being
- Reach out to these supports
- Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis
- Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental well-being
Upon completion of all 3 modules, participants will receive an internationally recognized certificate of completion from Mental Health First Aid Canada.
Method of Instruction
This 8-hour course opens with a self-directed module (Module 1) that focuses on the information and strategies that participants will discuss and practice throughout the virtual classroom modules (Modules 2 and 3).
Course participants are required to complete Module 1 before participating in Module 2 and 3. Upon registration, participants will receive the “MHFA Participant Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health and substance use crises.
Materials: All MHFA materials provided by instructor and will be sent directly to the participants.
This course is interactive and its success depends on the active participation of all participants in breakout rooms, raise hands and chat functions. Participants need to have their cameras on during the virtual modules and be present for the entire 6 hours.
MHFA is committed to providing a safe space to learn about mental health.
Time Commitment: Participants will need to complete a module 1 self-study (2 hours) followed by 2 virtual modules delivered in two half-day sessions. The in-class virtual modules will be held as follows:
Module 2 – Thursday, January 13, 2021 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Module 3 – Friday, January 14, 2021 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Program Agenda:
Module 1: Self-Directed (2 hours)
- Introduction to the course
- Introduction to MHFA actions
Module 2: Virtual Classroom (3 hours)
- Practice applying MHFA actions to situations of declining mental well-being
- Guidelines for MHFA conversations with people from diverse cultures and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community
Module 3 Virtual Classroom (3 hours)
- Discussion on using MHFA actions for self-care
- Practice using MHFA actions in crisis situations
Registration Difficulties or Questions: Please reach out to the Professional Development team at Professionaldevelopment@hrpa.ca.