MHFA Course Overview
When delivered in a traditional classroom or online, the Mental Health First Aid basic course developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada is eight hours in length. The first two hours are completed by students online. The following six hours are facilitated through ZOOM or in person. It is a collaborative training program that includes the presentation of information by certified facilitators, videos, group discussion and role plays. Students must attend the entire course in order to receive a Mental Health First Aid Certificate from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Please note: Algonquin College reserves the right to cancel or postpone a course if there is an insufficient number of registrants.
The following mental health concerns are covered:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Psychosis
- Substance Use Disorder
The following mental health crisis situations are covered:
- Suicidal behaviour
- Overdoses
- Panic Attacks
- Reactions to traumatic events
- Psychotic episodes
COURSE OUTLINE
Session 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness
- Mental Health First Aid
- Common mental health problems
- The five basic steps of mental health first aid
- What are substance use disorders?
- Symptoms and risk factors
- Crisis first aid for overdose
- Mental health first aid for substance use disorders
- Treatment and resources
Session 2: Mood Disorders
- What is depression?
- Symptoms of depression
Risk factors for depression- What is bipolar disorder?
- Symptoms of bipolar disorder
- Risk factors for bipolar disorder
- Alcohol, drugs and depression
- Suicide in Canada
- Crisis first aid for suicidal behaviour
- Mental health first aid for mood disorders
- Treatment and resources
Session 3: Anxiety Disorders
- What are anxiety disorders?
- Symptoms of anxiety disorders
- Risk factors for anxiety disorders
- Alcohol, drugs and anxiety disorders
- Crisis first aid for panic attacks
- Crisis first aid for acute stress reaction
- Mental health first aid for anxiety disorders
- Treatment and resources
Session 4: Psychosis
What are psychotic disorders?- Symptoms of psychotic disorders
- Risk factors for psychosis
- Alcohol, drugs and psychotic disorders
- Crisis first aid for acute psychosis
- Mental health first aid for psychosis
- Treatment and resources
- Other expressions of distress
The above course outline is from the Mental Health First Aid Basic Course developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.