Mental Health First Aid Training
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Just as CPR training prepares people without medical backgrounds to help someone who is having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid trains people to help someone who is at risk of developing a mental health problem or who is going through a mental health or substance use crisis.
Mental Health First Aid is an interactive course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. Participants will leave the training with the resources and skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to someone experiencing a crisis, using a 5-step action plan.
King County MIDD partners with Valley Cities to offer this training for FREE for employees and residents of King County over the age of 18.
TRAININGS ARE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY AND IN-PERSON
REGISTER AS AN INDIVIDUAL LIVING OR WORKING IN KING COUNTY BELOW
TO ARRANGE A GROUP TRAINING FOR YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO MHFATRAINING@VALLEYCITIES.ORG.
Do you live in a rural and/or unincorporated area of King County? We are happy to schedule a training in your area!
Upcoming Virtual Trainings At Valley Cities
YOUTH: Training for adults that interact with youth.
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:30PM
This is a virtual course. Requires a 2-hour pre-work session to be completed prior to attending the group training.
ADULT: Training for adults that interact with adults.
TIME: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
This is a virtual course. Requires a 2-hour pre-work session to be completed prior to attending the group training.
Full MHFA Training Schedule
Class Format
PART ONE (PRE-WORK)
Part one of this class is self-guided pre-work. Approximately two weeks prior to the date of the instructor-led session, learners will receive an email with a link for the self-guided portion. This portion takes an average of two hours to complete. Pre-work must be completed before the date of the instructor-led session.
PART TWO (INSTRUCTOR-LED SESSION)
Part two of this class is the instructor-led portion with a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor. This portion is offered either virtually or in-person. Upon completion, participants will be fully certified in Mental Health First Aid for three years.
Adult Mental Health First Aider, 2021
“I feel more confident when talking about mental health at work. Leading a team… this training has allowed me to be aware of signs that someone is struggling and also to be more comfortable talking to folks about it, and how to graciously and confidently extend an offer of support and respect”
Adult Mental Health First Aider, 2021
“I had a random person walk in and ask me for help. I was able to figure out he was having a panic attack. I was able to help him calm down, AND his boyfriend that was on the phone with him. I’ve also been able to give a list of MH resources to several friends that have reached out needing someone to talk to.”
We’re all in this together.
Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care believes that communities play a critical role in reducing barriers to care. As we work with individuals to manage their mental health and substance use disorders, we also offer support, services, and hope for whole communities in Western Washington to address these issues.
Mental Health First Aid training is funded by the King County Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) Plan Initiative PRI-07 – Mental Health First Aid. These sessions are open to the public, though space may be limited. Course and course materials are included (a $170 value per participant). This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRPO152, awarded to King County by the US Department of the treasury.
