Mental Health First Aid: A Guide for Workplaces and the Community
"The true first responders are friends, family and colleagues." - iMindify
What is MHFA and Why it Matters
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is essentially the mental equivalent of physical first aid training (like CPR).
Acknowledgements
Mental Health First Aid is a MHCC-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.
MHFA Action Plans: ALGES, and EAGLES
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.
The Indigenous MHFA curriculum uses the EAGLES framework, which is tailored to culturally safe practices within Indigenous communities.
This guide will focus on the foundational ALGEE steps to cover the core principles applicable across all versions.
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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.
The Legal & Ethical Importance of MHFA in the Canadian Workplace
Having trained MHFAiders is increasingly seen as a best practice that supports legal compliance, ethical responsibility, and business health. Some of the largest companies in Canada are getting their staff trained in MHFA.
The Legal Imperative: Duty of Care and National Standards
Employers have an ethical and often legal Duty of Care to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. This duty extends to psychological health as much as it does to physical safety.
While it's true that Canada's National Standards for Psychological Health and Safety (PHS) aren't strictly mandatory, neglecting to adopt a PHS framework can, in practice, lead to serious legal troubles for workplaces.
“Existing OHS legislation, human rights laws, and workers' compensation acts are increasingly interpreted to include a duty to protect psychological well-being.
Neglecting PHS can consequently lead to claims related to harassment, violence, chronic stress, and discrimination, potentially resulting in legal troubles for employers. “
Read: What is Psychological Health and Safety in Canada?
The Financial Cost of Non-Compliance
Unaddressed psychological hazards cost the Canadian economy over $50 billion annually and expose organizations to significant legal and financial risk. Ignoring PHS is costly.
A failure to implement PHS strategies can result in successful human rights complaints related to duty to accommodate or workplace harassment claims.
PHS Control Measure: OHS, Human Rights, and the Duty of Care
In landmark cases across Canada, courts and tribunals have held that the failure to implement proactive measures against psychological injury, which includes providing supportive resources like MHFA, constitutes a breach of an employer’s general duty of care.
MHFA as a PHS Control Measure
The National Standard encourages employers to implement control measures for identified psychological risks (like workplace stress or trauma exposure). MHFA training functions as a recognized, proactive control measure that fulfills this requirement by building immediate response capacity within the workforce.
The Canadian National Standard recommends 1 MHFAider for every 25 employees. While specific mandates vary by region, many workplace safety laws are being updated or interpreted to include psychological risk management.
In jurisdictions that align with standards like ISO 45003 (Psychological Health and Safety), training MHFAiders is a clear step toward proactive risk assessment and mitigation for psychological hazards.
Read: Your PHS Roadmap: A Layered Guide to Workplace Psychological Health & Safety
MHFA: The Audit Trail for Legal Risk Mitigation
The ALGEE action plan instills a consistent, documented process for initial disclosure. When an MHFAider transitions the initial support conversation to HR, they ensure the formal accommodation process starts promptly and effectively, minimizing the risk of a lawsuit claiming delayed or inadequate response.
Reasonable Adjustments
Having trained staff helps ensure that when an employee discloses a mental health problem, the organization is equipped to manage the initial phase, which can inform necessary reasonable adjustments in their role.
An MHFAider's primary function in this context is to create a safe, non-judgmental environment, which is essential for a complete and helpful disclosure.
The MHFAider's Primary Function
The MHFAider is trained to listen non-judgmentally. This encourages the employee to share the full scope of their difficulties and needs without fear of stigma or immediate repercussions.
A comprehensive understanding of the employee's current state is the foundation for any effective adjustment. An MHFA-informed initial conversation can help identify practical, immediate needs that may translate directly into adjustments.
The successful initial phase, managed by trained staff, directly informs and streamlines the management and HR process for providing accommodations.
Clear Internal Process
When an MHFA-trained individual follows the correct protocol upon disclosure, it ensures that the organization has initiated the conversation and documented the employee's request in a manner that adheres to legal and HR policies. This reduces legal risk associated with discrimination claims.
Having a clear internal process, where the employee is directed from the MHFA contact to the formal HR channel, avoids delays, frustration, and potential conflict. Prompt management of a disclosure is a key component of the legal duty to make reasonable adjustments.
Read: Due Diligence Checklist: How to Prove Your PHS Compliance to an OHS Inspector.
The Business Case: Improved ROI Through Wellbeing
Addressing mental health issues early through MHFA training can lead to reduced sick leave, improved morale, and higher productivity.
Decreased Absenteeism (Sick Leave)
MHFA equips staff to recognize signs of crisis or burnout before they escalate. Early intervention—applying the ALGEE steps to guide a colleague toward professional help—means mental health conditions can be managed sooner.
Employees can receive treatment faster, leading to quicker recovery and a reduction in the total number of days taken off due to mental health-related sick leave.
Mitigating Presenteeism (Reduced Effectiveness)
Presenteeism, where employees are physically present but unable to focus due to distress, can be more costly than absenteeism. MHFA has an effect to encourage employees to address their problems rather than trying to power through them.
When a brief adjustment (like a flexible start time or a few days off) is implemented early, it prevents weeks of unfocused, low-quality work.
Retention and Recruitment
Investing in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a strategic tool for talent acquisition and loyalty. It immediately signals that the organization prioritizes psychological safety, which is a non-negotiable factor for today's workforce, especially Gen Z and Millennials.
Companies with visible mental health support programs achieve up to 15% higher employee retention rates and significantly lower turnover costs. MHFAiders act as internal cultural advocates, transforming the company into an "employer of choice" that attracts and remains top talent.
Tackling Common Mental Health Challenges with MHFA
In any given year, approximately one in five people in Canada experience a mental health challenge or mental illness. By the age of 40, about half of the Canadian population will have or have had a mental illness.
This means that even if you are not affected, someone you know is. Mental Health First Aid covers key topics and scenario activities, including:
Depression
The prevalence of mental illness in Canada is significant, with approximately 1 in 5 Canadians experiencing a mental illness in any given year. For major depressive disorder specifically, about 14% of the population will be affected in their lifetime, and roughly 5% experience a major depressive episode in a given 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 is a major public health and societal issue in Canada, encompassing legal substances like alcohol and tobacco, as well as prescription and illegal drugs. The issue carries a massive economic burden and is closely tied to the ongoing opioid crisis.
Suicidal Ideations
A significant challenge in public health, suicide in Canada is one of the leading causes of premature death. While it is a complex issue fueled by severe feelings of overwhelm and hopelessness, we can make a difference. Prevention is within reach by increasing knowledge, fostering open conversations, and utilizing safety planning tools.
Psychosis
Symptoms of psychosis, most notably Schizophrenia, affect a considerable portion of the Canadian population. Schizophrenia itself is estimated to affect about 1% of Canadians aged 10 and older. However, other psychotic syndromes also exist, and collectively, these illnesses affect more than 1.5 million Canadians.
Overcoming the Barriers to Mental Health Care: An MHFA Strategy
It's a reality that, for many, the journey to mental wellness hits a roadblock: reluctance to seek help. In Canada, this hesitation is widespread, stemming from a complex mix of personal and systemic factors like fear, cost, and stigma. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) provides a structured, non-clinical tool (the ALGEE Action Plan) to systematically dismantle these barriers during a crisis or decline.
Read: Why People Don't Seek Mental Health Help
A - Approach, Assess, Assist
Directly counters the barrier of isolation and fear of judgment. By approaching someone with calm, non-confrontational concern, the MHFAider creates the first safe space for disclosure, showing the person they are not alone.
L - Listen and Communicate Non-Judgmentally
This is the most effective tool against stigma and shame. By actively listening without interrupting, minimizing, or offering advice, the MHFAider validates the person’s experience. This validation is critical for dissolving the internal barrier of self-stigma.
G - Give Support and Information
This step directly fights the barrier of ignorance and powerlessness. Providing simple, practical information about local resources, conditions, and treatment options demystifies the process, making the next steps feel less daunting and more achievable.
E - Encourage Help
This step tackles the barrier of confusion and lack of access. The MHFAider doesn't just suggest therapy; they offer practical help in finding and contacting resources
While a person ultimately decides to seek treatment, the MHFA framework provides practical steps to offer support and gently encourage them. The core goal is to reduce the barriers and encourage the individual they are supporting.
Sometimes, when providing support, you will need extra help. Knowing about the available resources and support in Canada may help.
If there’s a crisis: Call or text 988 - Read: What’s 988 in Canada?
If there’s a life threatening emergency: Call 911
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (For youth)
Read: How to express concerns about someone’s mental health
Mental Health First Aid Training Options: Certification vs. Essentials
In Canada, there are different types of MHFA certifications depending on your needs.
MHFA: Standard Certification (The Credentialed Program)
This is the new, revamped version of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification program. To achieve certification as a Mental Health First Aider, you are required to complete the comprehensive, two-day program.
You should choose the Certification option (which includes the two-day program and a final assessment) when your organization needs designated, credentialed responders or requires a deeper content validation that is provided by a formal credentialing process.
MHFA: Standard Essentials (General Awareness Course)
The alternative is the 1-day Mental Health First Aid Essentials course. This option grants you a certificate of participation, but it does not result in you being a credentialed Mental Health First Aider.
Essentials is designed to provide foundational knowledge for general mental health awareness. You should choose the Essentials course (one-day, no assessment) when you need broad, cost-effective coverage to quickly build general awareness across a larger group.
MHFA: Adults Supporting Youth (Specialized Training and Certification)
For people seeking a more specialized and in-depth understanding of mental health challenges within a specific demographic, the Mental Health First Aid: Adults Supporting Youth program is the ideal choice.
This focused training goes beyond general awareness by providing a niche grasp of MHFA principles specifically tailored to the Youth population (typically ages 12-18). It is designed to help participants to recognize the unique risk factors and warning signs in adolescents and confidently guide them toward appropriate professional and self-help supports.
MHFA Course Objectives & Details
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification course provides the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for participants to recognize changes in mental health, respond supportively, and apply practical actions for declining mental health and crisis situations. It helps participants build confidence, reduce stigma, and enhance their own mental health.
The purpose and objectives of MHFA is to:
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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.
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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.
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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.
The MHFA Certification course is divided into 6 modules:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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Participants review key course learnings and identify actionable next steps. They commit to enhancing personal well-being beyond the course.
Commit to self-care activities.
Reflect on overall learning outcomes and their application.
Identify next steps for ongoing mental health support and self-care
To see the a side-by-side comparison of Essentials and Certification click here.
FAQs: Mental Health First Aid
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Psychological First Aid (PFA) is designed to provide immediate, short-term emotional support in the aftermath of a crisis. It’s typically a shorter, less intensive program aimed at a broad audience. MHFA, by contrast, offers a more structured and comprehensive approach to mental health literacy and crisis response.
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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.
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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 see our MHFA bulk pricing guide.
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You can register by looking at our Upcoming Courses by clicking here!
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Yes! We offer Mental Health First Aid for Adults Supporting Youth. You can register in MHFA: Adults Supporting Youth by clicking here!
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