Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a groundbreaking public
education program that helps the public identify, understand,
and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use
disorders. Mental Health First Aid USA is managed, operated, and
disseminated by three national authorities — the National
Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri
Department of Mental Health. Mental Health First Aid is offered
in the form of an interactive 12-hour course that presents an
overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the
U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning
signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their
impact, and overviews common treatments. Those who take the
12-hour course to certify as Mental Health First Aiders learn a
5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and
knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with
appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help car