ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥app

cherry blossoms on campus

Mental Health First Aid

Become An Advocate

Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and help someone who is in crisis, has mental illness or a substance use disorder. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need.

mhfa logo
man giving presentation standing in front of room

About MHFA

MHFA takes the fear out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by providing an action plan that teaches people to safely identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.

group of students

Become MHFA Certified

You’ll learn the risk factors and warning signs; information on depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction disorders; a 5-step action plan to help someone in crisis; and where to turn for help.

man giving presentation in front of room

Become a MHFA Instructor

Instructors are on the frontlines of the program and train people in their communities in Mental Health First Aid. Certified Adult and Youth Instructors are required to teach the course at least three times per year.

ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥app's commitment to MHFA

ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥app is committed to the mental health and well-being of our community. We are developing a sustainable program to support our community by creating and establishing a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program on campus.

Become 1 of 16 MHFA instructors on campus! As an instructor, you will help build and sustain MHFA in the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥app community.

Benefits of becoming a certified instructor:

  • Connect and bring our ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥app community together
  • Advocate for mental health and wellbeing
  • Reduce negative attitudes about mental illnesses
  • Educate our community and build mental health literacy
  • Be a mental health ambassador on campus
  • Lead and show others how they can help

Advocating for Mental Health Awareness

Western New England University has taken a significant step forward in mental health advocacy and education, having been awarded a grant of $240,000 from the City of Springfield’s Higher Education American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund. This substantial funding is earmarked for the expansion of the university’s Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Program, a key initiative in fostering mental wellness and resilience within the community.

Read News Story