CERTIFIED TRAINING FOR THE VILLAGE
A Guide to Mental Health First Aid: Adults Supporting Youth
Don’t just notice the signs. Know how to respond.
Learn how to provide early intervention and support for adolescents (12-24) facing mental health challenges or crises.
Acknowledgements
Mental Health First Aid: Adults Supporting Youth is a Mental Health Commission of Canada - Opening Minds program. We appreciate the guidance, support, and expertise of everyone who contributed to the design, development, and implementation of this course.
It was designed in collaboration with an advisory group of mental health specialists, lead facilitators, and people with lived and living experience of mental health and substance use conditions.
The Evidence of MHFA
MHFA is an empirically-based program and research shows that people trained in MHFA are significantly more likely to recognize mental health problems, offer help, and decrease social distance from people with mental health challenges. MHFA training saves lives and reduces stigma.
Defining Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a world-renowned, accredited training program that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental injury and substance use. There are various types of MHFA trainings and formats.
First Aid First: MHFA is Not Counselling
An important distinction of MHFA is its purpose as a temporary, initial line of support, not professional treatment. An MHFAider is not a counselor, therapist, or clinician. They are trained to provide initial help and reassurance until the person in distress can connect with professional care.
The existence of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) fundamentally recognises that community mental health outcomes rely on local support networks. MHFA training equips citizens to be the first line of defence, ensuring early intervention for those experiencing a mental health challenge.
The Role of a Mental Health First Aider
The role of a MHFAider is to provide short-term immediate help to someone who may be expierencing a mental health decline or crisis.
Why Your Support Matters to Youth
Canadian youth are navigating a world of unprecedented digital pressure, academic competition, and social uncertainty. While they are more "connected" than ever, many report feeling profoundly alone when it comes to their mental health.
1 in 5 Canadian youth (approx. 1.2 million) are currently living with a mental health challenge or disorder.
Source: Canadian for Health Information
70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence
Youth rating their mental health as "fair" or "poor" has more than doubled from 12% in 2019 to 26% in 2023.
Why Don’t Youth Ask for Help
In Canada, there is a "intervention gap." While we have world-class clinical resources, young people often don't reach them until they are in crisis. Why?
Many adults notice "moody" behaviour and assume it's just a phase. By the time they realize it’s something deeper, the young person’s academic and social life has already suffered.
The most common reason youth avoid asking for help isn't a lack of services—it’s the fear of what the people in their life will think, or a belief that they "should be able to handle it" on their own.
Statistics Canada reports that over 35% of youth who perceived a need for mental health care had their needs either "partially" or "completely" unmet.
The Solution: Be the Bridge to Support for Youth with Mental Health First Aid
There is often a wide gap between a young person's first sign of struggle and their first appointment with a professional. Most youth don’t have the words or the courage to cross that gap alone.
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Before you can help, you have to see. We teach you to identify the subtle changes in behaviour that signal a struggle—like a student who stops handing in assignments or a player who suddenly loses interest in the game. You'll learn to distinguish between typical "adolescent growing pains" and a mental health challenge that requires a team response.
It’s Sustainable
You don't feel like the entire weight of the youth's mental health is on your shoulders. You are a member of a team.
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The first conversation is the most critical. We provide you with the "scripts" and non-judgmental listening skills to walk alongside a young person so they feel heard, not "interrogated." This keeps the relationship strong and ensures the door stays open for future support. You aren't just a "reporter"; you are their first safe space.
It’s Effective
The best outcomes for youth happen when parents, teachers, and professionals are all speaking the same language.
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This bridge isn't a one-way exit; it’s a connection to a wider network. MHFA teaches you how to assemble a Circle of Care for the young person. Instead of "handing them off", you learn how to introduce professional resources—like school counsellors, local youth centres, or the 9-8-8 helpline—while remaining a steady, supportive presence in their life. You aren't leaving the situation; you’re just bringing in the right teammates.
It’s Relational
The young person doesn't feel like they are being "handed-off"; they feel like their "village" is stepping up to help them.
The Circle of Care: Creating a Support Team
A young person's recovery is strongest when every part of their life is aligned. MHFA shows you how to balance professional intervention with the day-to-day "natural" supports that keep a youth grounded.
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These are the people who see the young person every day.
You: The parent, coach, or teacher.
Peers: Friends who provide social belonging.
Community: Cultural leaders, elders, or extended family.
Your Role: You are the "eyes and ears." You provide the consistency, the love, and the day-to-day stability that a therapist cannot.
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These are the people who provide professional help.
The GP: Managing physical health and referrals.
School Counsellors: Supporting academic and social navigation.
Specialists: Psychologists or social workers providing targeted therapy.
Crisis Lines: 24/7 immediate safety via 9-8-8 or Kids Help Phone.
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The goal of all support is to empower the young person. We teach you how to encourage and reinforce healthy coping mechanisms that the youth can use themselves:
Mental Health Hygiene: Sleep routines, nutrition, and "digital boundaries" with social media.
De-escalation Tools: Grounding exercises and breathing techniques for anxiety or panic.
Self-Advocacy: Learning how to tell an adult, "I’m struggling today and I need a break."
Tailored Support for the People in Their Life
The challenges facing Canadian youth aren’t confined to one area. Whether you are at the kitchen table, in the classroom, or on the sidelines, MHFA provides the specific "first aid" skills needed for your unique environment.
Why Parents Benefit From Mental Health First Aid Skills
MHFA removes the guesswork. It gives you a roadmap to look past the "teenage phases" and identify early warning signs like changes in sleep, social withdrawal, or irritability.
You move from a state of worry to a state of preparedness, allowing you to strengthen your relationship with your child during their most vulnerable years.
Identify the specific behaviours that indicate a mental health struggle, not just a bad mood.
Learn how to start conversations that make your teen feel safe to open up.
Guide them toward the right "Circle of Care" while remaining their most trusted support.
How Teachers Can Recognize Classroom Mental Health Signs
You’ll learn how to support a student’s mental wellbeing in the classroom and effectively connect them to the "Circle of Care" (school counsellors and parents) so the weight isn't yours to carry alone.
You create a mentally healthy learning environment where students feel safe enough to learn, and you feel confident enough to lead.
Learn exactly where your role as a teacher ends and where the "Circle of Care" begins.
Identify "internalizing" behaviours (the quiet student) that get missed
Gain a clear checklist for when to escalate a concern to school leadership or parents, reducing your own mental load.
How Coaches Can Support Student-Athlete Mental Wellbeing
Coaches are in a unique position of trust. MHFA helps you see when a drop in performance could be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. You’ll learn how to approach an athlete in a way that prioritizes their health without sacrificing the team culture.
You become more than just a tactical coach; you become a mentor who builds resilient athletes who can handle pressure both on and off the field.
Distinguish between a "bad week of practice" and the physical signs of anxiety or disordered eating.
Learn how to check in with an athlete in a way that preserves their privacy and dignity among their teammates.
Learn how to foster a team culture where mental health is treated with the same seriousness as a physical injury.
How Community Leaders Creating Authentic Safe Spaces
You are often the "natural support" a youth turns to first. MHFA gives you the skills to handle disclosures of self-harm or crisis safely and legally, ensuring your organization is a true sanctuary for the vulnerable.
You build a community where "it’s okay not to be okay," fostering a sense of belonging that is a proven protective factor against youth suicide and substance use.
Know exactly what to do if a youth discloses self-harm or suicidal thoughts during a meeting or event.
Learn how to support the unique mental health needs of marginalized youth, ensuring every teen feels they belong.
Understand your "Duty of Care" in a Canadian context, ensuring you are protecting both the youth and your organization.
The MHFA Youth Curriculum: What You’ll Learn
This course helps you to identify clinical warning signs that go beyond "teenage moodiness" and provides the tools to communicate without causing a young person to withdraw. Whether you are learning to de-escalate a crisis—like self-harm or suicidal ideation—or helping a family navigate professional support, you are acting as the link to a life-preserving network.
Tackling Common Mental Health Challenges with MHFA
While one in five Canadians experience a mental health challenge each year, the story begins much earlier. 70% of mental health challenges have their onset during childhood or adolescence.
This means the 12–24 age group is the most critical window for support. By the time a young person reaches adulthood, the support network provided by parents and teachers has already become their most important safety net.
Depression
Youth depression isn't just a 'phase'—it is a significant health concern that. When we look at the state of youth today, the statistics reveal a clear gap between those struggling and those receiving support. This is vital because suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in Canada aged 15–24. In many Canadian provinces, wait times for youth mental health services can range from 6 months to a year.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses in Canada, affecting a significant portion of the population. Over one in four Canadians will experience an anxiety or related disorder at some point in their lifetime.
Substance Use
Substance use in Canada can be a response to stress or social pressure. In Canada, alcohol (22%), vaping (15%), and cannabis (12%) are the most common substances used by students. With the rising threat of a toxic drug supply, even occasional experimentation carries severe risks. As adults supporting youth, our goal is to provide a non-judgmental support network that prioritizes safety over stigma.
Suicidal Ideations
Suicide in Canada is one of the leading causes of premature death. These tragedies are often preceded by intense feelings of hopelessness fueled by modern social stressors. Early intervention is the key to prevention. When adults are equipped to spot the signs and facilitate honest dialogue, they become the vital link between a struggling youth and life-saving support systems.
Psychosis
Collective data shows that psychosis in Canada affects more than 1.5 million people, with symptoms often appearing for the first time in adolescence. Schizophrenia specifically impacts about 1% of the population, often manifesting just as a young person transitions into adulthood. Supporting a youth through these shifts helps ensure they receive professional help when it matters most.
MHFA Action Plans: ALGES (ALGEES)
The MHFA course utilizes the core ALGES action plan created by Mental Health First Aid International. This mnemonic serves as a universal, non-linear guide for providing initial support.
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In Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), effective support begins with a proper approach and multi-faceted assessment. We systematically evaluate the situation, classifying it as a decline, a crisis, or an emergency.
Simultaneously, we assess the safety of everyone involved, determine the ideal moment to approach the individual, and select the appropriate supportive messages. This thorough assessment process is the key factor that determines our subsequent intervention strategy.
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Build trust and understanding. Give the person your full, undivided attention. Use active listening skills (e.g., nodding, reflective statements, and open body language) and set aside any personal opinions or judgments about their situation.
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Offer comfort and practical help. Provide emotional support (empathy, respect, patience) and practical information (e.g., details about mental health conditions, support options, or managing immediate tasks). Reassure them that help and recovery are possible.
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Guide them toward formal care. Discuss various professional options (like doctors, counselors, psychiatrists, or employee assistance programs) and offer to help them find, select, or contact a professional. Emphasize that seeking help is a sign of strength.
Promote recovery and resilience outside of professional settings. This includes Self-Help strategies (diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction) and tapping into their Other Supports (friends, family, faith community, support groups).
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Recognize that helping others can be draining. Practice self-care by setting boundaries, debriefing with a supervisor or colleague, and looking after your own physical and mental health.
Which Training is Right for You?
Choosing the right course ensures you get the specific skills, scenarios, and action plans relevant to the people you support. While both programs use the evidence-based MHFA framework, the application is tailored to the audience.
Mental Health First Aid: Standard
Primary Audience: Workplace colleagues and peers (18+).
Best For: Anyone supporting adults: HR Professionals, Managers, and Corporate Teams.
Focus Area: Workplace safety, productivity, peer-to-peer support, harm reduction.
Core Topics: Occupational stress, workplace burnout, and mental health adult crises.
Goal: Maintain a psychologically healthy workplace and adult community.
Compliance: Helps meet the needs of Canadian Workplace Health & Safety Standards (CSA Z1003).
Choose MHFA: Standard Training if: You want to support your staff, meet OHS requirements at your company, or learn how to help other adults in a professional and community setting.
Mental Health First Aid: Youth
Primary Audience: Young people and adolescents (12–24).
Best For: Parents, Teachers, Coaches, and Youth Workers.
Focus Area: Early intervention, developmental milestones, and duty of care.
Core Topics: Academic pressure, self-harm, and eating disorders.
Goal: Build a "Circle of Care" around a developing young person.
Compliance: Meets educational and community safety "Duty of Care" requirements.
Choose MHFA: Youth Training if: You are a parent, educator, or mentor who wants to understand the unique mental health challenges facing Canadian youth today and learn how to intervene early.
Frequently Asked Questions: Choosing Your MHFA Training
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While both courses use the ALGEES action plan, Youth MHFA is specifically designed for the 12–24 age group. It focuses on the unique biological and social factors of adolescent brain development. MHFA Standard is broader and focuses on the adult-to-adult context.
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We strongly recommend the MHFA: Youth course. Educators have a specific "Duty of Care" under Canadian law. This course focuses on the school environment and how to build a Circle of Care involving parents and school counsellors, which is very different from managing a peer in an office.
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Yes, Mental Health First Aid is recognized and accredited for professional development credits for teachers, early childhood educators, social workers, lawyers and other professionals.
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If you have to choose one, think about where you have a Duty of Care. If your primary responsibility is the safety and development of minors (under 18), the Youth course is the priority. Many community leaders eventually take both to ensure they are prepared for any age group. We offer training bundles for those who want to be certified in both MHFA Standard and Youth.
To see how Mental Health First Aid can be used in the workplace, see our MHFA Workplace Guide here.
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Absolutely. A core part of the curriculum is learning to de-escalate high-stress situations. You will learn the specific steps to help a young person through a panic attack, how to respond safely to non-suicidal self-injury (self-harm), and how to assess for and respond to suicidal ideation.
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The course provides specific strategies for navigating "shutting down." We teach you to listen non-judgmentally, choose the right environment (like talking while driving or walking to reduce eye-contact pressure), and use open-ended questions. You’ll learn that "being there" and maintaining a calm, steady presence is often more effective than forcing a conversation.
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No. Much like physical first aid doesn't turn you into a doctor, Mental Health First Aid doesn't turn you into a therapist or doctor. You will not learn to diagnose clinical conditions. Instead, you learn to be a skilled first responder who can identify early warning signs, offer immediate support, and bridge the gap to professional treatment.
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