MTSU Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is a national evidence-based training program that teaches members of the general public how to help a person who is developing a mental health challenge, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health challenge or in a mental health crisis. This skills-based training covers mental health concerns such as: Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Suicide Prevention, Non-Suicidal Self Injury, Psychosis, Bipolar disorder, and Substance Use Disorder. Mental Health First Aid is intended to create a culture of mental health awareness by providing training on mental health conditions, information on mental health resources and information on services and resources available.

The grant that started our MTSU Mental Health First Aid training program in 2019 came to an end in October 2021, training over 1100 students, faculty, and staff in three years with over 1300 referrals to mental health services as a result of the training. We are pleased to continue this program on our campus as of January 2023 (see details below).

New MTSU MHFA Training Opportunities 2023-2026

Exciting news! As of January 2023, MTSU CHHS will be able to offer at no charge to our campus community, Mental Health First Aid training as a result of funding received from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This is a wonderful opportunity, as the course has a value of $170 per learner. This grant will provide training opportunities from January 2023 - December 2026.

Mental Health First Aid Certification Trainings

Become a Mental Health First Aider!

There are multiple course formats you may see available below:

Blended Virtual - a combination of a 2-hour self-paced online module and a 6-hour live online classroom component
Blended In-Person - a combination of a 2-hour self-paced online module and a 6-hour live in-person classroom component (usually on campus)
In-Person - a fully in-person 8-hour class (usually on campus)

Important notes:

You MUST complete the self-paced online modules ("pre-work") before the classroom meeting, whether in-person or online. You will not be allowed to attend the classroom session without doing so.
There is a pre- and post-survey part of this training from CHHS. You will not be receiving your login for your pre-work unless you complete the pre-survey. Please also do the post-survey after your class, as it is a requirement of the grant that allows us to offer these without cost to the campus community! It helps us so much.
If you need to reschedule to another training, please email us at chhs@mtsu.edu to let us know as soon as possible. Otherwise you will be marked as a no-show and need to start again.
Registration for each session will close three days before its date to give time to set up your account in the Mental Health First Aid system and allow you to do your pre-work. This is subject to adjustment if it is deemed necessary in the future.
There is a minimum class size. If a class does not make, we will contact you to let you know and see if you would like to attend a different session. You may be able to keep part of your progress in the self-paced portion of the class!

Below you'll find a list of our currently available training sessions! Once you find one that works for you, go our registration page to sign up. Once you do, you will receive an email confirming your registration as well as a link to the pre-survey. After completing this pre-survey, you will receive instructions either 2 weeks before the teacher-led session or in 1-2 business days if your session is within 2 weeks of your registration/finishing your pre-survey.

Please bookmark and check back frequently for additional trainings and announcements!

Training Date	Training Time	Training Type
Friday, June 7, 2024	9:00am - 3:00pm	Blended, Virtual
Saturday, June 29, 2024	9:00am - 3:00pm	Blended, Virtual - students only!
Thursday, July 18, 2024	9:00am - 3:00pm	Blended, in-person

For questions or to inquire about group training for your dept or class, contact us at chhs@mtsu.edu with "MHFA Training" in the subject line.

Self-Pay Option for Community Partners:

Unfortunately, MTSU CHHS MHFA is currently unable to offer a self-pay option. You can find trainings available in your area (or virtual ones available outside of it!) at the Mental Health First Aid website. If you wish to have a training session just for your organization, it may be worthwhile to use that tool and reach out to trainers listed as offering sessions in your locality.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at CHHS_MHFA! Like, Share, Follow!

Be Well, Stay Healthy!

MHFA in the news!

January 2023 - MTSU CHHS receives funding to bring back Mental Health First Aid training to campus 2023 -2026.

May 10, 2019 - MTSU-CHHS staff appeared on WGNS Radio to share information about a new campus mental health training project, new sleep quality and positive aging consortiums and a special upcoming alumni event. Read the article or listen to the podcast by clicking here.

More news about CHHS-MHFA:

Read the May 10, 2019, MT News article about Mental Health First Aid at MTSU!
October 2018 media release.

Helpful Links & Resources

Campus Service Providers

MTSU Pilot Project (2019-2021) Mental Health First Aid Community Partners

MTSU Pilot Project MHFA Community Partners are agencies providing mental health and/or substance abuse services who have committed to partnering with the MTSU Mental Health First Aid program by assisting students referred and collecting limited referral data for grant-related purposes during the 2019-2022 pilot project period. Inclusion of a community partner on this list does not constitute an endorsement by MTSU or MTSU CHHS.

View a list of MHFA Community Partners!

CHHS Logo

Follow us on Social Media

Give to CHHS