• Distinguish between mental health, mental illness, and mental health conditions.
• Recognize indicators of mental health across the continuum (optimal, declining, poor).
• Understand key information about mental health disorders in Canada.
• Identify factors influencing mental health positively and negatively.
• Explain the Two Continua Model of mental health.

• Apply the ALGES framework to scenarios about declining mental health and crisis situations.
• Identify barriers to providing mental health first aid and how to overcome them.
• Ask effective questions to initiate supportive conversations.
• Demonstrate empathy and effective listening skills in supportive interactions.
• Communicate non-judgmentally using verbal and non-verbal skills.
• Provide reassurance and appropriate information in supportive conversations.
• Develop a list of professional, personal, and community resources and supports.
• Explain recovery-oriented approaches to providing support.

• Explain mental health stigma, including self-stigma, public stigma, and structural stigma.
• 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 practical strategies to challenge and reduce stigma.

Participants set the stage by establishing group norms and guidelines for a safe, inclusive learning environment. They share initial expectations and perceived challenges to foster engagement throughout the course.

The overall goals and outcomes of the MHFA course are presented. Learners clarify the purpose and responsibilities associated with being a Mental Health First Aider.

This module introduces definitions of mental health, mental illness, and related conditions. It also discusses the limitations of the DSM-5, the prevalence of mental health disorders, and the risks of labelling. Participants examine three different types of stigma—self, public, and structural—and their impacts. They practice identifying stigma and reflecting on personal biases to effectively challenge stigma. Finally, participants explore the Mental Health Continuum and the Two Continua Model, recognizing the complexity and variability of mental health.

Core Objectives:

• Define mental health.
• Distinguish between mental health, mental illness, and mental health conditions.
• Better understand mental health disorders and their prevalence.
• Appreciate what support looks like to someone living with a mental health condition.
• Discuss risks and limitations associated with diagnostic labelling.
• Describe types of stigma (self, public, structural).
• Reflect on personal attitudes contributing to stigma.
• Explain the Two Continua Model of mental health.

Through interactive learning, learners familiarize themselves with the ALGES framework and gain clarity on each action to respond to a person experiencing mental health decline. The structured approach prepares participants for supportive interactions.

Core Objectives:

• Explain each action of the ALGES framework clearly.
• Identify indicators of declining mental health.
• Build a repository of questions to start a discussion about mental health.
• Demonstrate empathy.
• Effectively give reassurance.
• Handle challenges related to seeking mental health support.
• Understand the importance of a recovery orientation.
• Identify and practice respectful alternatives to stigmatizing language.
• Ask someone which support would be most helpful.
• Create a list of resources in their community.

Through scenario-based activities, learners apply ALGES to situations involving declining mental health. They enhance skills in effective questioning, empathetic listening, and connecting individuals with resources, guided by recovery-oriented principles.

Core Objectives:

• Apply ALGES to declining mental health scenarios.
• Challenge their assumptions about individuals needing support.
• Demonstrate effective questioning and non-judgmental communication.
• Provide empathetic reassurance, information, and connection to resources.
• Integrate a recovery orientation in providing support.

This module highlights the importance of self-care practices for maintaining personal mental health while supporting others. Participants develop intentional, reflective, purposeful, and boundary-setting self-care plans.

Core Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the definition of self-care.
• Identify and apply personal self-care strategies.
• Discuss the Three Pillars of Self-Care (reflective, purposeful, boundaries).
• Commit to intentional self-care practices.

Participants learn to recognize and respond effectively to mental health crises, including suicidal behaviour, panic attacks, acute stress reactions, non-suicidal self-injury, and psychotic episodes. They distinguish between crisis and emergency responses, applying ALGES appropriately.

Core Objectives:

• Distinguish between crisis and emergency responses.
• Recognize warning signs of suicide.
• Recognize indicators of mental health crises (panic attacks, acute stress, non-suicidal self-injury and psychotic episodes).
• Effectively apply ALGES to crisis situations.

Participants review key course learnings and identify actionable next steps. They commit to enhancing personal well-being beyond the course.

Core Outcomes:

• Commit to self-care activities.
• Reflect on overall learning outcomes and their application.
• Identify next steps for ongoing mental health support and self-care.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an accredited, certification program that teaches how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and crises.

The purpose of Mental Health First Aid is to equip the community with the skills to offer initial support to someone experiencing a mental health challenge or in a crisis until professional help can be obtained.

This mental health awareness training aims to bridge the gap between noticing a problem and getting appropriate care, ultimately promoting mental well-being in communities.

Across diverse industries, many employers are making Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification a requirement for employment, while others pursue this training for their personal and professional development.

Anyone can benefit from taking a Mental Health First Aid course. The target audience is broad and includes individuals from all walks of life who want to learn how to support others experiencing mental health difficulties.

This mental health training is particularly valuable for: parents, teachers, healthcare professionals (non-mental health specialists), employers, HR professionals, first responders, community leaders, and anyone who interacts with the public.

In a Mental Health First Aid course, you will learn to identify the signs and symptoms of various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders.

Specific topics covered include understanding risk factors and warning signs, and developing a 5-step action plan.

You will gain practical skills in how to approach and support someone in distress, how to listen non-judgmentally, how to give reassurance and information, how to encourage appropriate professional help, and how to encourage self-help and other support strategies.

Typically, Mental Health First Aid is online via Zoom. Mental Health First Aid is a participant-centered learning journey. You'll benefit from lively group discussions, practical application through scenario-based activities and role-playing to master the MHFA action plan, and dedicated time for questions and answers.

MHFA: Essentials (1-day course): Participants will receive a certificate of participation, but does not qualify as a certified Mental Health First Aider status.

MHFA: Certificate (2-day course): After the online course, participants will be sent an online assessment. They have 7 days to complete this assessment. After completion of the virtual course and online assessment, they will be certified as Mental Health First Aiders. This certificate expires in 3 years, but can be renewed by taking a refresher course before the expiration date.

The choice between MHFA Essentials and Certification depends on your specific goals and context. Choose Essentials (one-day, no assessment) for broad, cost-effective coverage to build general awareness. Choose Certification (two-day, includes assessment) when you need designated, credentialed responders or deeper content validation.

No, participants must complete both days of the MHFA Certification course to receive certification. MHFA Essentials and MHFA Certification are separate courses and do not build on each other.

Professionals in frontline social services, nursing, or emergency response (or related) should take the 2-day Certification course. All other businesses should aim for one certified MHFA responder per 25 employees.

This ensures that each team or department has someone formally trained to respond to a mental health crisis.

The remaining employees can be trained in MHFA Essentials and The Working Mind (TWM) to build general awareness and early support skills. This layered approach balances depth and reach—providing both credentialed responders and a culture of mental health literacy across the organization.

Psychological First Aid (PFA), accredited by the Canadian Red Cross, is designed to provide immediate, short-term emotional support in the aftermath of a traumatic event. In contrast, MHFA is accredited by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and focuses on broader mental health literacy, de-stigmatization, recognizing early signs of mental health decline, and managing crisis or emergency situations.

While Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an individual-level response training employees to support colleagues in a mental health crisis, Workplace Psychological Health & Safety (PHS) is a systemic, preventative framework rooted in occupational health and safety. PHS focuses on designing the work environment to eliminate psychosocial hazards before they cause harm, meaning MHFA functions as an administrative control within a much larger, proactive PHS system.

While Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) focuses on crisis intervention and supporting others, The Working Mind (TWM) has a greater focus on employee self-care, understanding the workplace mental health continuum, and reducing stigma in everyday professional environments.

Yes! We offer Mental Health First Aid for Adults Supporting Youth. To learn more about how this tailored program can be valuable for you see our MHFA Guide for Parents, Teachers and Youth Workers.

The cost is determined by the individual facilitator or the organization offering the course, not the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). Click here to find the best MHFA training option that fits your budget and needs, or contact us about bulk pricing.

You can register by looking at our Upcoming Courses by clicking here!

iMindify is a premier Canadian provider of accredited online mental health training, psychological health and safety consulting, and workplace wellness solutions. Our mission is to revolutionize wellness across workplaces and communities through meticulously designed, evidence-based training. We specialize in delivering the most respected, empirical programs accredited by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).

We offer a variety of corporate wellness and professional development options tailored to meet your organization's specific needs. A great starting point is our general FAQ page, where you can explore details on our entire suite of accredited training programs.