Frequently Asked Questions

Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, psychosis, and substance use disorders. This is our Core Curriculum.  

Mental Health First Aid for Adults Assisting Youth (YMHFA) is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 10-18) who is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people both in crisis and non-crisis situations.  

Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens in grades 9-12, or ages 14-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers. tMHFA is not available for public attendance like the other curriculum, and instead, is facilitated in a multi-day format in schools and youth serving organizations. 

Please see our course calendar to register for an upcoming class. Classes fill quickly!   

In-person training takes between 7-8 hours to complete.  

Blended training includes 2-hours of self-paced prework, plus a 5-6 hour instructor-led session. Blended courses can be delivered in-person or virtually.   

A note about virtual trainings: to access the Blended coursework, you must have internet and a computer, as well as a working camera and microphone. The class is also accessible on a mobile device with internet, but this is not recommended. For Virtual classes, you must have the ability to log in to Zoom and be on camera for the entire class.  

Cost varies between $0 (fully grant funded) to $75 per training. Nationally, this curriculum is valued at $170 per person, and you may see the cost vary between organization and instructor. All MHAMD’s training costs will be posted up front during the registration process so that all interested parties know what they are signing up for.  

MHFA and YMHFA certification lasts for three years.  

Private class rate is $3,000-$4,000 depending on delivery format. (Capacity: 30 people per course) Please submit a Private Engagement Request here to have a team member follow up with you.  

If you do not live or work in Maryland, please see the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s website at MentalHealthFirstAid.org  for classes in your area.  

See our Teaching MHFA page for more information on the process, cost, and commitment around becoming a Mental Health First Aid Instructor.