Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training Information

Following the successful completion of Mental Health First Aid training, attendees have the opportunity to become certified as Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructors, a 30–32-hour virtual or in-person course through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. As a part of the CMP Grant for Mental Health, individuals from participating LTC communities can receive up to $2,200 for tuition reimbursement back to the organization following successful completion of the course. The instructor certification training requires an application and acceptance by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and then completion of the course for certification. Upon certification, the Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructors will be able to teach the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course to other staff at their Long-Term Care community. Participation in the instructor training will include a commitment to train additional staff at their community in Mental Health First Aid.

The Mental Health First Aide Instructor Certification training teaches you how to:

• Teach the Mental Health First Aid course, including the 5-step ALGEE Action Plan, evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies and prevalence data.
• Present the program with fidelity to the tested core model.
• Apply the program to a range of adult learning styles.
• Deliver MHFA using available technology and tools.
• Tailor presentations to diverse audiences and create safe learning environments.

To qualify for Mental Health First Aid Instructor reimbursement through the CMP Grant for Mental Health, applicants must:

1. Complete the Mental Health First Aid training which can be completed through the trainings offered by LAI through the CMP Mental Health Grant.
2. Acquire pre-authorization from campus administrator and submit form and supporting documentation to LAI.
3. Apply, register and complete Mental Health First Aid Instructor training.
4. Submit the  reimbursement form and supporting documentation to request reimbursement for successful completion of the Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification. (To be paid the following quarter). 

In addition, each mental first aid instructor who receives the instructor certification through the grant has the opportunity to order the required mental health first aid training books for the individuals that they will train moving forward. The cost of the book order will be reimbursed through the grant after a receipt has been provided for the purchase of the books from the National Council for Well Being. You can access the book reimbursement form here. The mental health first aid curriculum requires each person receiving training for mental health first aid to receive a book and only certified trainers can order the proprietary books from the National Council for Well Being.

The Grant will also set new mental health first aid instructors up for success by providing newly trained and certified instructors with equipment needed to teach and provide the mental health first aid class moving forward to additional staff. This train-the-trainer approach will extend the impact of the grant beyond the grant period. These items include:

• Presentation laptop
• Wireless microphone for computer and sound bar
• Easel, flip chart paper, and markers

The deadline to submit applications for reimbursement is March 31, 2024. To learn more about becoming a Mental Health First Aid Certified instructor, click here. To find an instructor training course, click here.