Hot Topics / Priority Issues

Adult/Youth Mental Health First Aid Train-the-Trainer Program - 2 Sessions this Fall - APPLY UNTIL 9/5

The Conference will once again offer the opportunity for individuals from across the state to participate in Mental Health First Aid instructor training via the National Council’s VIRTUAL platform.

This fall, we are offering TWO (2) VIRTUAL training sessions: one for ADULT MHFA and one for YOUTH MHFA with each session accommodating 16 participants:

Fall 2023 Training Dates (each is a 3-day virtual training via Zoom):

• Session 1: Tuesday, 10/31 – Thursday, 11/2 (9 am – 5 pm)
• Session 2: Tuesday 11/7 – Thursday, 11/9 (9 am – 5 pm)

MHFA Instructor Application Information:

Download 2023 MHFA Instructor Application

Candidates should complete the application, then send it to their county’s Director of Community Services (DCS) to complete the DCS Attestation (page 6), and then scan/submit the application to fs@clmhd.org by close of business Tuesday, September 5, 2022.

Candidates will be selected and notified of acceptance to the program by Tuesday, September 19, 2022. Once candidates are notified of their acceptance to the training, they will be sent a link to complete an official registration with the National Council. Additionally, trainees will be required to complete 8 hours of pre-course work prior to the 3-day session. 

VIRTUAL Instructor Training Course Outline

• At least one month prior to the start of the course, all participants will receive an invite to the learning management system, MHFA Connect, so that they can create their account and complete the short application. Instructions will be sent out from MHFAHostSites@thenationalcouncil.org regarding this process.
• Upon completing the application, participants will be able to place their orders for free training materials through our Storefront.
• Prior to the first day of the instructor-led training, participants must complete 8 hours of online, self-paced work. This course will be available to the participants on their MHFA Connect dashboard, and access is granted once the participant sets up their account.
• Each student needs to join the course from their own device and have a private room to meet with their National Trainers.
• Two National Trainers will lead an interactive online course in real time over three days:
• Day 1 – Unpacking the course, questions and answers
• Day 2 – Coaching by appointment (30 minutes), independent prep for presentation, teaching strategies
• Day 3 – Candidates present an assigned section of the course, review one-on-one feedback from the trainer, view other candidate presentations, and cover the crisis portion of the course
• Upon completing the 3 days of live instruction, Instructors must complete 2-3 hours of self-paced work to learn how to use MHFA Connect to schedule their first aider courses.

IT Requirements

The course will be hosted through Zoom. Please review these IT requirements to see if you are eligible for the course.

• Computer – Windows or Apple desktop or laptop computer
• Phone or tablet (backup audio/video option) – It is highly recommended that users join the course from a laptop or desktop computer for the best experience. Phones may be used for audio support.
• Microphone and speakers – Participants whose computers do not have a microphone and/or speakers can use the dial-in option from their phone for audio.
• HD Webcam – Either built into the user’s device or external.
• Internet Connection – We recommend an internet speed of at least 5mbps upload/download speed. Users can test their internet speed here: https://www.speedtest.net/