When you see a family member, friend, or co-worker in crisis, it can be hard to know how to respond, how to help.
Mental Health First Aid provides the tools. Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.
Since 2003, NH’s CMHCs have been providing free MHFA classes throughout the state, equipping teachers, parents, first responders, and front-line health care providers with skills to respond effectively.
In this eight-hour course, participants learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. The program also improves mental health literacy – increasing community understanding and reducing stigma.
Different courses are offered with different focuses to include MHFA for Adults, Youth, Veterans, Higher Education, and Older Adults.
To find a MHFA class near you, visit the CMHC’s website below. Participants must be 18 years or older, and registration is required in advance.
- Center for Life Management: http://www.centerforlifemanagement.org/programs-services/mental-health-first-aid
- Community Partners: communitypartnersnh.org
- Greater Nashua Mental Health: http://www.gnmh.org/
- Lakes Region Mental Health Center: https://www.lrmhc.org/
- The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester: https://www.mhcgm.org/how-we-can-help/clinics-seminars/
- Riverbend Community Mental Health: https://www.riverbendcmhc.org/service/community-wellness-education/
- Seacoast Mental Health Center: https://smhc-nh.org/services/#toggle-id-8
- West Central Behavioral Health: http://www.wcbh.org/mental-health-first-aid/