MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
POLICY HANDBOOK
CONTENT
What is Mental Health First Aid?............................................................
Why Mental Health First Aid?................................................................
How to Be Part of the Solution...............................................................
Drafter’s Checklist................................................................................
MentalHealthFirstAid.org..................................................................
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing........................................
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
It’s time that our policies address the reality of this tragic epidemic! This means smarter investments in evidence-based
approaches like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a skills-based training that gives people knowledge and tools they need to
provide initial help to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
Similar to physical first aid or CPR courses, Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals how to understand, identify and respond
to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. This evidence-based training introduces participants to risk factors and
warning signs of mental health and substance use concerns, builds an understanding of their eects and how they manifest, and
provides an overview of common treatments and where to find them locally. Through scenarios, interactive exercises, and a 5-Step
Action Plan, the training provides participants concrete, context-specific skills to assess a mental health crisis, provide initial help,
and connect people to professional, peer and social supports as well as self-help resources.
Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan to recognize warning signs of a mental health or substance use challenge,
provide help in both crisis and non-crisis situations and understand where to turn for additional assistance. The 5-step Mental
Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE) is:
A L G E E
ASSESS for risk of
suicide or harm.
LISTEN non-
judgmentally.
GIVE reassurance
and information.
ENCOURAGE
appropriate
professional help.
ENCOURAGE
self-help and other
support strategies.
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
More than 52 million people in the U.S. are experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, yet over half can’t aord
help — or don’t know how to access care. And the COVID-19 pandemic made the situation even worse: In the first half of 2022,
more than 27 million adults with a mental illness did not receive treatment.
Signs of mental health and substance use challenges can be dicult to recognize. Even when friends and family recognize their
loved one may be developing a mental health challenge, they often don’t know how to intervene or where to direct the person for
proper treatment. And the person living with mental health challenges may not know how or who to ask for help either. As a result,
all too frequently, those in need of mental health services do not receive them until it is too late. Across the country, completed or
attempted suicides and opioid overdoses are increasing.
“The nation’s devastating mental health and substance use crises continue to grow — particularly among youth.
Learning how to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge
can help save the lives of your family members, friends, colleagues, students and community members. Through
continuing to certify millions of Mental Health First Aiders each year, we can help ensure that every person in
America knows someone who can provide support and help in times of need.”
— Deanna Roepke, Vice President and General Manager, Mental Health First Aid
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Mental Health First Aid | 2022 Policy Handbook
teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an evidence-based early intervention and prevention program developed in Australia in 2015
by Dr. Laura Hart at the University of Melbourne and Dr. Claire Kelly at Mental Health First Aid Australia. The National Council for
Mental Wellbeing brought tMHFA to the United States in 2019. tMHFA teaches teens in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, just enough to
help a friend or peer avoid a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis while awaiting help from a parent and/or other trusted
adult, such as a guardian, teacher, coach or school counselor. Teen First Aiders also learn a 5-step Action Plan, which is to:
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
How Mental Health First Aid Helps
Mental Health First Aid encourages early detection and intervention by teaching participants about the signs and symptoms
of specific mental health challenges like anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, eating disorders and substance use
challenges. The program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like “What can I do to overcome this challenge?”
and “Where can I find help for myself or others?”
Instructors introduce participants to local mental health resources, national organizations and hotlines, support groups and
online tools for mental health and substance use treatment and support. The training also includes a dedicated section on
suicide prevention, including how to recognize suicidal thinking and behavior, and guidelines on how to safely intervene.
In 2008, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing brought Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. from Australia. To date, more
than . million people in communities across the country have been trained in Mental Health First Aid through a
network of thousands of certified Instructors.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing oers three primary courses: Mental Health First Aid for Adults Assisting Adults, Mental
Health First Aid for Adults Assisting Youth and MHFA for Teens Helping Their Friends. The program also oers community-specific
courses that address the specific needs of groups including law enforcement; military, veterans and their families; older adults; rural
populations; fire and EMS; and higher education. Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid are also oered in Spanish.
kEy stAts
MILLIONS TRAINED
More than . million people have
been trained in Mental Health
First Aid by thousands of certified
Instructors across the country.
COAST-TO-COAST
Mental Health First Aid courses
can be found in all U.S. states
and every territory.
STATE POLICY
Twenty-eight states have enacted
Mental Health First Aid policies.
Learn more at MentalHealthFirstAid.org.
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Mental Health First Aid | 2022 Policy Handbook
this ovErviEw rEfLEcts whAt EAch proGrAm EntAiLs
ADULT
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
YOUTH
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
teen
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Audience
For adults 18 and older.
Community-specific trainings
available include higher
education; public safety;
military, veterans and their
families; older adults; fire and
EMS; and law enforcement.
For adults 18 and older.
This could include parents, family
members, caregivers, educators,
school personnel and other caring
citizens who regularly interact with
young people.
Teens in 10th-12th grade (or
ages 15-18)
Schools/youth-serving
organizations oering teen
Mental Health First Aid training
are required to train all teens in
the participating grade.
Note: At least 10% of the adult faculty
and sta at a teen Mental Health First
Aid site must be trained in Youth Mental
Health First Aid.
Format
In-person training: Learners
participate in an Instructor-
led training conducted in one
7.5-hour day, two 4-hour days
or four 2-hour days. No pre-
work required.
Blended training: Learners
complete 2 hours of self-paced
pre-work prior to 5.5 hours of
live, Instructor-led training
(ILT). ILT may be conducted in
person or virtually.
In-person: Training is conducted in one
6.5-hour day. No pre-work required.
Blended: Learners complete 2 hours of
pre-work prior to 4.5 hours of Instructor-
led training (ILT). ILT may be conducted
in person or virtually.
In-person: Lessons are conducted in
person in six 45-minute sessions or three
90-minute sessions. Sessions take place
on non-consecutive days with no more
than two weeks between sessions.
Blended: For each of six units,
complete a self-paced online lesson,
then participate in live, Instructor-led
sessions (virtual or in person) that
include skills-building exercises.
Key
Takeaways
Learn to identify, understand
and respond to signs of mental
health and substance use
challenges in adults. Includes
crisis de-escalation techniques
and scenarios.
Learn to identify, understand and
respond to signs of mental health and
substance use challenges in adolescents.
Includes and crisis de-escalation
techniques and scenarios.
Teens learn how to identify, understand
and respond to the signs of developing
mental health challenges, mental health
crises, suicide and substance use. tMHFA
gives young people the skills to have
supportive conversations with their
friends and teaches them how to get help
from a responsible and trusted adult.
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
this ovErviEw rEfLEcts whAt EAch proGrAm EntAiLs
ADULT
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
YOUTH
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
teen
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Continuing
Education
Credit
Variable Variable TBD
Instructor
Certification
Process
Instructor candidates complete
about eight hours of self-
paced, online pre-work, then
attend three consecutive
days of live training (public
Instructor trainings will be
virtual until further notice) led
by two National Trainers.
During the training, Instructor
Candidates present and teach
a 15-minute segment of the
curriculum. Class members
provide a peer review, and
National Trainers evaluate each
Instructor individually.
Instructors must conduct three
courses a year to maintain
certification.
Instructor candidates complete about
eight hours of self-paced, online pre-
work, then attend three consecutive
days of live training (public Instructor
trainings will be virtual until further
notice) led by two National Trainers.
During the training, Instructor
Candidates present and teach a
15-minute segment of the curriculum.
Class members provide a peer review,
and National Trainers evaluate each
Instructor individually.
Instructors must conduct three courses
a year to maintain certification.
Instructor candidates complete about
six hours of self-paced, online pre-work,
then attend three consecutive days of live
training (public Instructor trainings will
be virtual until further notice) led by two
National Trainers.
During the training, Instructor Candidates
present and teach a 15-minute segment
of the curriculum. Class members provide
a peer review, and National Trainers
evaluate each Instructor individually.
Instructors must conduct three courses a
year to maintain certification.
Note: All tMHFA Instructors must be
connected to an implementing site prior
to teaching the course. tMHFA Instructor
trainings will be delivered virtually until
further notice.
Cost
Value: $170 per learner.
Cost of materials: $23.95 per
learner.
Tuition for one Instructor
candidate: $2,200 ($2,000 for
National Council members).
On-site private Instructor
training for between 6 and 16
Instructor candidates: Starts at
$26,000 ($24,000 for National
Council members).
Value: $170 per learner.
Cost of materials: $23.95 per learner.
Tuition for one Instructor candidate:
$2,200 ($2,000 for National Council
members).
On-site private Instructor training
for between 6 and 16 Instructor
candidates: Starts at $26,000 ($24,000
for National Council members).
Cost of materials: $12.95 per teen.
Tuition for one Instructor candidate
(not aliated with a school or youth-
serving organization): $1,700
Tuition plus 125 teen manuals for
one Instructor candidate (aliated
with a school or youth-serving
organization): $3,300.
Tuition includes 3-day, live, online
training plus 1-day optional training for
Blended certification.
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Mental Health First Aid | 2022 Policy Handbook
Mental Health First Aid is unique among other mental health-related training programs due to its adaptability,
evidence-based approach and rigorous oversight by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
study up
Studies show that Mental Health First Aid reduces stigma – the social distance created by negative attitudes and
perceptions of individuals with mental health challenges.
AdAptAbiLity
The program continues to innovate with new resources, skills training and flexible training options. The program oers
population focused content that emphases Mental Health First Aid within various communities. The National Council has
adapted the Mental Health First Aid curricula for training in in-person and online formats to provide flexibility for individuals
working to complete the course.
EvidEncE-bAsEd ApproAch
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognized program that is proven to be highly eective. Peer-reviewed studies
published in the United States and abroad show that individuals trained in the program:
Grow their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health and substance use challenges.
Can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental health or
substance use challenge.
Increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress.
Show signs of enhanced mental wellbeing
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
riGorous ovErsiGht
The program is supported and implemented by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and its network of 82 state
association members. Through dedicated Mental Health First Aid sta, the National Council engages in fidelity monitoring
of its Instructors, which is designed to ensure they are staying faithful to the program, and manages an ongoing certification
and recertification process. Instructors are required to take part in a three-day training, which includes a written exam and a
15-minute “teach-back” presentation during a section of the curriculum. To maintain their certification, Instructors teaching
Adult or Youth Mental Health First Aid must conduct at least three courses* per year. Instructors teaching teen MHFA must
conduct at least one course a year to stay up to date with the program.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing operates Mental Health First Aid USA in partnership with the Missouri Department
of Mental Health and the Mental Health Association of Maryland, and has a vision that one day, everyone in the U.S. will
know someone who is trained in Mental Health First Aid. That means regularly oering courses in every community across
the country. To ensure the best program is being oered at all times, the National Council works with its association partners,
Instructors and community stakeholders to constantly update the training program and materials with the latest skills and
information. Mental Health First Aid courses are implemented by local nonprofits, community groups and businesses. Certified
Instructors are often local to the communities they serve. States partnering with the National Council to oer Mental Health
First Aid know they are getting a reliable, evidence-based curriculum that is taught by nationally certified Instructors.
Anyone can make the dierence for someone facing a mental health or substance use challenge — they just need the basic
tools and an action plan. That is why any comprehensive approach to mental wellbeing should include expanded education and
Mental Health First Aid training opportunities.
throuGhout thE community
Mental Health First Aid has been taught to a variety of audiences via community-specific trainings, including:
pubLic
sAfEty
firE/Ems
workpLAcE
vEtErAns
oLdEr
AduLts
rurAL
hiGhEr
EducAtion
*To ease the burdens of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mental Health
First Aid temporarily reduced the teaching requirement to one class per year.
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Mental Health First Aid | 2022 Policy Handbook
AddrEssinG knowLEdGE And trAininG GAps
Currently, fewer than 1% of people in the U.S. are adequately trained to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and
substance use challenges. That lack of training and understanding has led to a sense of helplessness among community leaders,
families and the general public. As a result, we’ve seen the adoption of stop-gap policies or training programs that only scratch
at the surface of the challenges posed by our national mental health crisis. Evidence-based programs that address the scope of
the challenge and empower individuals to intervene should be widely implemented to fully meet the needs of our communities.
Mental Health First Aid courses are intended for the people and organizations that make up the fabric of a community,
professionals who interact with large segments of vulnerable populations (e.g., police ocers, teachers, emergency services
personnel) and members the general public who are interested in learning more about mental health and substance use
challenges and helping their neighbors. Mental Health First Aid Instructors have trained Chambers of Commerce, professional
associations, hospitals, nursing homes, Rotary clubs, parent organizations, social clubs and other groups.
State-supported programs should be evidence-based. When evaluating training options and crafting policies, lawmakers
should look for programs that are both evidence-based and have clear certification procedures for Instructors. Programs should
educate individuals to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, while also training
them with proven skills to safely de-escalate crisis situations, develop action plans for individuals showing signs of distress, and
direct those individuals to resources within the community. There should also be built-in oversight to ensure that Instructors
continue to properly teach the materials and that learners maintain recertification every three years.
Trainings must be sucient to address the challenge. More than 52 million people in America (one in five adults) have a
mental health condition. A staggering 43% of U.S. adults who say they needed substance use or mental health care in the past 12
months did not receive that care, and numerous barriers to access stand between them and needed treatment, according to a new
national survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Council for Mental
Wellbeing. Furthermore, nearly 50 percent of those living with a mental illness have a co-occurring substance use challenge. The
scale and unpredictability of the challenge facing our communities means that trainings have to provide citizens a variety of tools
and tactics, including how to apply an action plan in a range of situations, such as helping someone through a panic attack, safely
engaging someone who may be showing signs of suicidal thoughts or assisting an individual who has overdosed. An important
component of the Mental Health First Aid course is the opportunity to practice its 5-step Action Plan rather than to just learn
about it. This valuable experience can make it easier to apply the knowledge in a real-life situation.
Intervening before a challenge becomes a crisis. Just as CPR training helps a person with no clinical training assist someone
experiencing a physical crisis, Mental Health First Aid training helps a person assist someone experiencing a mental health
or substance use challenge. In both situations, the goal is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help
arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn the 5-step Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE): assess for risk of suicide
or harm; listen nonjudgmentally; give reassurance and information; encourage appropriate professional help; and encourage
self-help and other support strategies. Participants are also introduced to risk factors and early warning signs for mental health
and substance use challenges, engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of mental health and
substance use challenges on individuals and families, and learn about evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
HOW TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
SINCE , STATES HAVE made Mental Health First Aid a priority by enacting policies that allocate funding for
trainings, require certification standards for public sector employees and establish statewide mental health training programs
and requirements. A complete legislative tracking chart is located in Appendix I.
BY ENACTING STATEWIDE POLICIES that extend Mental Health First Aid trainings to law enforcement, educators, first responders
and many other members of the public, communities can ensure those in need receive timely first aid and professional help.
To truly address the scale of the mental health and substance use challenges facing every state we need to train millions of
First Aiders every year nationwide. That is why we are calling on state and local policymakers to establish pathways for their
constituents to access Mental Health First Aid trainings by enacting policies that will:
1. Establish clear and comprehensive training objectives.
2. Target the training needs of specific populations.
3. Provide funding for sustained training.
4. Mandate training for public sector employees who engage directly with vulnerable populations, including youth.
5. Ensure Mental Health First Aid is included as an option to satisfy professional development credits.
Additionally, any policy aimed at expanding trainings regarding mental health and substance use treatment or prevention in
your state should include clear supervisory authority for streamlined adoption and implementation of programs, timelines
for completion and/or reporting back to the legislature, data collection and reporting mechanisms, and methods for impact
evaluation to inform how best to sustain programs.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing can help state and local policymakers, advocates and state associations draft and
enact comprehensive training policies and assist communities in bringing Mental Health First Aid training to their citizens.
rEcEnt LEGisLAtivE succEssEs*
Vermont S — Establishes the Coordinated Mental Health Crisis Response Working Group and oers Youth Mental
Health First Aid trainings to educators and school staff through grants provided by the Agency of Education.
Nebraska LB — Requires mental health and substance use treatment points of contact in school districts and oers
Mental Health First Aid trainings through competitive grants provided by lottery funds.
Colorado HB — Annual supplemental budget appropriation of about $210,000 for in-state Mental Health
First Aid trainings.
Arkansas HB — Requires school counselors to participate in the Youth Mental Health First Aid course module as part of
their training requirements and establishes the Arkansas Center for School Safety of the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board.
California SB — Establishes excused mental health absence days and will require the state Department of Education to
recommend evidence-based training programs for schools to address youth behavioral health, inclusive of Mental Health First Aid.
*For more information about legislation around Mental Health Awareness Training,
including MHFA, contact [email protected]
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Mental Health First Aid | 2022 Policy Handbook
DRAFTER’S CHECKLIST
pursuinG poLiciEs At thE stAtE LEvEL
Providing preventive, community-based mental health and substance use care trainings will take a deep commitment at
all levels of government. Every state must be a partner in expanding and creating pathways for citizens to access eective,
evidence-based mental health resources and trainings. This checklist provides guidance to lawmakers drafting policies to bring
Mental Health First Aid to their states, including key provisions to be incorporated into state training laws.
The following is a detailed description of each of the recommended policies, along with sample language and examples from
states that have passed legislation. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s legislative reforms and recommendations seek
to establish a comprehensive approach to bringing Mental Health First Aid trainings to a broad and diverse cross-section of any
state’s population. Every state should customize the model language to ensure it addresses each state’s unique challenges and
existing statutes. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is ready to help in drafting and enacting the best legislation possible.
POLICY :
Establish clear and comprehensive training objectives.
Eective policy begins with clear and comprehensive objectives that specify how evidence-based trainings are eligible for adoption,
implementation and funding. Defining comprehensive training objectives will dierentiate Mental Health First Aid training from other
programs that may not achieve the legislative intent. These objectives should include recognizing the signs of mental health and
substance use challenges, providing timely referral to services and providing tools for the safe de-escalation of related crisis situations.
sAmpLE LAnGuAGE
Training Objectives
Mental health and substance use care trainings that meet the objectives of this legislation, subject to appropriation, and are
eligible for funding will utilize evidence-based programs that educate on: (i) recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health
and substance use challenges, including common psychiatric diagnoses such as bipolar disorders, major depressive disorder,
anxiety disorders and common substance use disorders, including opioids and alcohol; (ii) providing referral to mental health and
substance use care services or other supports in the early stages of a developing mental health or substance use challenge and
recommending community, state and national resources for individuals with a mental health or substance use challenge; and (iii)
how to safely de-escalate crisis situations involving individuals with a mental health or substance use challenge.
Definitions
For the purposes of this document, “Mental Health First Aid training program” refers to the Mental Health First Aid® training program
administered by the agency/department in charge of implementing mental health training in the state, as specified. “Certified
Instructors” refers to trainers who are properly certified by a national organization for mental wellbeing to provide such training.
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
Example Legislation
Nebraska LB — The State Department of Education shall establish a mental health first aid training program
for teachers and other personnel employed by a school district or an educational service unit participating in a grant under
subsection (2) of section 79-1054. The mental health first aid training is to be delivered by trainers who are properly certified by
a national organization for mental wellbeing to provide training meeting the requirements of this section.
California SB — The Department of Education shall, on or before January 1, 2023, recommend best practices, and
identify evidence-based and evidence-informed training programs for schools to address youth mental health and substance
use challenges, including, but not necessarily limited to, sta and pupil training.
Florida SB “The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act” — Beginning with the 2018-2019
school year, the Department of Education shall establish an evidence-based youth mental health awareness and assistance
training program to help school personnel identify and understand the signs of emotional disturbance, mental illness, and
substance use disorders and provide such personnel with the skills to help a person who is developing or experiencing an
emotional disturbance, mental health or substance use problem.
POLICY :
Provide sustained funding for trainings, right-sized for the stated
goals and target populations.
Policies should include a funding amount and sustained timeline that is right-sized for the stated policy goals and target population.
This will incorporate cost calculations with dierences in impact at various funding levels and a cost-benefit analysis where available.
Language around funding should specify what makes a training program eligible for funding (trainers who are properly certified, target
population categories, etc.) and take into account the time it will take to achieve the stated policy goals. To ensure that rural areas and
other underserved populations receive equitable funding for training, include a provision on the distribution of training grants.
sAmpLE LAnGuAGE
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, mental health training programs shall: (i) be designed to train individuals in the target population
categories (e.g., teachers, law enforcement, veterans); (ii) ensure that training is conducted by trainers who are properly
licensed and/or credentialed by nonprofit entities as designated by the Secretary; and (iii) include a training course on the skills,
resources and knowledge to help individuals in crisis connect with appropriate local mental health care services, training on
mental health resources in the community and training on action plans and protocols for referral to such resources.
Training Grants
Subject to appropriations made to the agency/department, the agency/department shall support training grants for Mental
Health First Aid. These training grants may support hardship subsidies for (state) Mental Health First Aid training fees.
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Mental Health First Aid | 2022 Policy Handbook
Distribution of Training Grants
When awarding training grants, the agency/department shall distribute training grants equitably among the geographic regions of the
state, paying particular attention to the training needs of rural areas and areas with underserved populations or professional shortages.
Example Legislation
Nebraska LB — The State Board of Education shall establish a competitive innovation grant program with funding
from the Nebraska Education Improvement Fund pursuant to section 9-812. Grantees shall be a school district, an educational
service unit, or a combination of entities that includes at least one school district or educational service unit. For grantees that
consist of a combination of entities, a participating school district or educational service unit shall be designated to act as the
fiscal agent and administer the program funded by the grant. The State Board shall only award grants pursuant to applications
that the state board deems to be suciently innovative and to have a high chance of success.
Vermont S — In FY 2023, the Agency of Education shall work collaboratively with the Department of Mental Health
to provide grants to applicants utilizing a tiered-support approach for the purpose of providing sta training on Youth Mental
Health First Aid and other evidence-based techniques and approaches to crisis prevention and intervention, such as trauma-
responsive practices, adolescent brain development, and how to build a culture of connection.
POLICY :
Target the needs of specific populations.
Policies perform better when they target the needs of a specific population that is of special concern or importance to a state’s
legislators and mental health and substance use care association(s). These populations include educators (K-12 and post-
secondary), youth, law enforcement, first responders, veterans and rural communities. To ensure successful policy implementation,
the policy must be crafted in partnership with and buy-in from organizations that represent the target populations.
sAmpLE LAnGuAGE
Target Population
A governing body for standards and training shall prepare and publish mandatory training standards to provide instructions for
individuals in identifying and handling incidents involving mental health or substance use crises and shall develop guidelines
for responding to incidents involving such persons. The course of instruction shall comply with the National Council for Mental
Wellbeing’s Mental Health First Aid program. Instruction and the guidelines shall include: (i) identifying and recognizing signs
and symptoms of potential mental health or substance use challenges and protecting people experiencing mental health or
substance use challenges and (ii) providing information on recognizing the signs and symptoms of common mental health and
substance use challenges, de-escalating crisis situations safely and initiating timely referral to mental health and substance use
treatment resources available in the community.
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
Example Legislation
New Jersey S — Requires school districts to provide instruction on mental health as part of the health education curriculum.
Texas HB — Related to the inclusion of Mental Health First Aid training in the mental health program for veterans.
Kentucky HB ) — An act relating to suicide prevention training requiring two hours of in-person suicide prevention
professional development training every other school year for high school principals, guidance counselors and teachers.
POLICY :
Require Mental Health First Aid trainings for public sector
employees who engage with large populations.
Mental Health First Aid policies can achieve long-term success in a state if they require trainings for public sector employees that
engage with large populations. For a requirement to be successful and provide accountability, it must include implementation
partners, supervisory authority, reasonable timelines for compliance, consequences for non-compliance, data collection and
reporting mechanisms, and methods for evaluating impact. Additionally, a well-crafted mandate will provide funding to train
Instructors and implement trainings for First Aiders.
sAmpLE LAnGuAGE
Administration
A state agency/department shall administer the Mental Health First Aid training program so certified trainers can instruct residents,
professionals and members of the public in how to identify and assist someone who is believed to be developing or has developed a
mental health or substance use challenge or crisis or who is believed to be experiencing a mental health substance use challenge or crisis.
Evaluation
The agency/department, as the Mental Health First Aid training authority, shall ensure that evaluative criteria are established
that measure the distribution of the training grants and the fidelity of the training processes to the objective of building mental
health, alcohol use and substance use literacy designed to help the public identify, understand and respond to the signs of
mental health and substance use challenges.
trAin todAy
Mental Health First Aid Instructors are the backbone of the movement.
Sign up for a MHFA training today or apply to become an Instructor.
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Mental Health First Aid | 2022 Policy Handbook
POLICY :
Ensure Mental Health First Aid training satisfies requirements
for continuing education (CE) credits.
Providing Mental Health First Aid training as an option to satisfy professional development credit requirements expands training
options in a state and incentivizes target populations that require ongoing vocational/professional certification – e.g., educators,
first responders and other direct service responders — to complete the training. Where continuing education requirements related
to mental health currently exist, the state should standardize the language across sectors to ensure Mental Health First Aid is
included as an option in fulfilling the relevant requirements.
sAmpLE LAnGuAGE
Professional Development
Not later than one year after the eective date of the act, the [department/agency], in conjunction with the Department of Health
and Human Services, shall develop or adopt a professional development course that must include instruction on both of the following:
(i) identifying potential risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance use challenges, including, but not limited to,
depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, eating disorders, substance use disorders and self-injury and (ii) a 5-step Action Plan for helping an
individual experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, including, but not limited to, assessing risk, listening nonjudgmentally,
supporting the individual and identifying professional help and other resources for the individual. The professional development course
developed or adopted may be counted toward the fulfillment of continuing education requirements related to mental health.
Standardizing
Mental health and substance use treatment continuing education requirements for public service employees can be fulfilled
through the successful completion of Mental Health First Aid. The [department/agency] in conjunction with the Department of
Health and Human Services, shall adopt and standardize the inclusion of Mental Health First Aid as a professional development
course where appropriate within existing and/or relevant continuing education requirements.
Example Legislation
Colorado HB Requires that of the 90 hours of professional development training required for educator
licensure, at least 10 of the hours are dedicated to behavioral health training.
Virginia HB — Requires school boards to adopt and implement policies that require teachers and other personnel to
complete Mental Health First Aid training.
Illinois HB — Provides that minimum in-service training requirements, which a police ocer must satisfactorily complete
every 3 years, shall include mental health awareness and response as reflected in the Illinois Mental Health First Aid Training Act.
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2022 Policy Handbook | Mental Health First Aid
MENTALHEALTHFIRSTAID.ORG
To learn more about the Mental Health First Aid training program, visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org, where you will
find case studies, details about the courses oered, and our research and evidence base.
The website also includes an extensive resource library to help individuals who are experiencing a mental health
crisis, an integrated blog and press release archive to help you stay up to date with news related to Mental Health
First Aid trainings, and contact information for our team.
You can also stay up to date with our national and state legislative policy agenda by visiting the National Council
for Mental Wellbeing’s Policy Action Center, where you’ll find downloadable resources to support your Mental Health
First Aid advocacy work.
Connect with us on Facebook (@MentalHealthFirstAidUSA); Twitter (@MHFirstAidUSA); and Instagram (@
mentalhealthfirstaidusa) and sign up for our newsletter to learn more.
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR MENTAL WELLBEING
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and
social change on behalf of nearly 3,200 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than
10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-
quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote
greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through
our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 2.7 million people in the U.S. to identify,
understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
The National Council’s professional sta is available to help legislators with the drafting and enactment of
comprehensive mental health training policies. We can also connect state leaders with advocacy tools, resources,
technical assistance and expert testimony.
To learn more, contact Hello@MentalHealthFirstAid.org
