Mental Health First Aid

The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that one in every five Canadians experiences a mental health problem within a given year. While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes towards individuals living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves and from providing appropriate support to people around them. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis.

Course participants will learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and encourage that person to:

Talk about declines in their mental well-being;
Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improve mental well-being;
Reach out to these supports;
Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis;
Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental well-being.

Quick Facts

MHFA is active in 25 countries (in Canada since 2007).
Over 500,000 people from 5,000+ communities in Canada have been trained in MHFA.
Over 10,000 MHFA courses have been delivered in Canada.
Adaptations of MHFA include courses for adults who interact with youth, First Nations, Inuit, Northern peoples, police, seniors, and the veteran community.

Schedule

October 8-19: Module 1 – Self-Directed: Enrollment Codes provided to participants
Proof of completion of Module 1 due Wednesday, October 20, 8 p.m.

October 22, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Module 2 – Virtual Classroom
Practice applying MHFA actions to situations of declining mental well-being.
Guidelines for MHFA conversations with people from diverse cultures and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

October 29, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Module 3 – Virtual Classroom
Discussion on using MHFA actions for self-care.
Practice using MHFA actions in crisis situations.

Cost: $169.00 (incl. HST)
Spaces are limited! Register before October 19, 2021, 12 p.m.*
*Although participants can start studying Module 1 on October 8 when the codes are provided, you can still register and get your code until October 19, 2021. Please make sure you complete two-hour self-paced Module 1 by Wednesday, October 20, 8 p.m.

Participants will receive a pdf version of the “MHFA Participant Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health and substance use crises. A hardcopy will be available for purchase on the Commission’s website.

Instructed by Cindy Krysac

Cindy is an experienced and trusted Mental Health First Aid Canada Instructor, she has taught Mental Health First Aid to over 990 participants. She applies evidence-based teaching methods to create an effective and comfortable learning experience, while inspiring participants with her knowledge and passion for mental health awareness and actions. She is currently a contract Mental Health First Aid facilitator for the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen.

Cindy has been advocating for mental health awareness and mental health initiatives for over 20 years. She is currently a Patient and Family Advisor for Trillium Health Partners. Since 2017, Cindy has been part of a team advocating through human rights for First Aid requirements for workplaces to include Mental Health First Aid.

From 2013 to 2017 Cindy was an advocate on the Advisory Board for the Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere FAME, she was a co author of FAME’s stakeholder contribution to the Toronto Police Services Review “Police Encounters with People in Crisis”. In June 2015 she was awarded SPARK training from The Mental Health Commission of Canada, and used the training to help young people emerge as confident peer and community mental health advocates.

Cindy is an IBEW 353 I.C.I electrician, and has spent more than twenty years as a physics researcher, teacher, professor and program director in the university system.

BOOKING AND CANCELLATION POLICY:

Course numbers are limited to ensure a quality learning experience for all participants. Places are allocated in order of receipt of registration form. Written cancellation received seven (7) working days prior to the first day of training are subject to refund from the Mental Health First Aid Canada in the amount of $99.00. Cancellations received thereafter are non-refundable.

PREVENTION LINK PRIVACY POLICY:

Prevention Link is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of information provided to us as regulated by Privacy Legislation. Information provided is used to process registration and to keep our records current so that you can be informed of course cancellations, current and future workplace insurance and disability prevention training opportunities and other prospective events that may be of interest to you.

Information provided by you may be disclosed to a relevant third party as a part of a grant agreement audit requirement. Information may also be disclosed to our affiliate organizations as an update report on their member training.