Mental Health First Aid

Equip your church to care well.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)is a nationally recognized, evidence-based training that equips individuals to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in others.

It’s a practical way for churches to care well for their communities and embody the call to love our neighbors.

Mental Health First Aid offers your congregation tools to:

  • Support youth and young adults navigating mental health challenges

  • Care for your community with compassion and confidence

  • Equip leaders, parents, and volunteers to respond to those in need

  • Build relationships with local schools and campuses

Learn more about how to bring this vital training to your congregation below!

Questions? Want to get involved? Contact Colin Kroll (ckroll@cbf.net)

Training Options

CBF offers virtual, hybrid, and in-person trainings for Adult and Youth Mental Health First-Aid to participating congregations or community groups at a significant discount.

Virtual courses can contain 5-15 participants, while in-person courses can host 5-30 individuals.

Full descriptions of course options are below. If you have questions about what format may work best for your group or congregation, please contact Colin Kroll (ckroll@cbf.net):

Adult MHFA Course Options

  • In-person, single day training | 7.5 hours plus breaks.
  • In-person, two day training | 3.5 hour day + 4 hour day
  • In-person, four session training | 2-hour sessions x 4
  • Virtual or Hybrid Session | 2 hours of online pre-work, 5.5 hours instructor-led work (virtual or in-person)

Youth MHFA Course Options

  • In-person, single day training | 6.5 hours plus breaks.
  • In-person, two day training | 3.5 hour day + 3 hour day
  • In-person, four session training | 2-hour sessions x 4
  • Hybrid Session | 2 hours of online pre-work + 4.5 hours instructor-led (in-person only)

Upon completion of the course, participants will earn a 3-year MHFA certification.

Ideas for MHFA Church Engagement:

Host a MHFA training for deacons, Sunday school teachers, and lay leaders

Offer a Youth MHFA for parents and youth volunteers

Invite young adults from your community to participate in a training

Partner with local schools by reserving seats for teachers in your training

Support local college campuses by including students in MHFA training

MHFA Resources:

”The YMHFA training helped me gain confidence to reach out to those in my circle who I know need help. I am now empowered to use the resources presented during the training to benefit those around me who are in need. I am able to immediately apply the information in my ministry context, in my friendships, and in my own family.

Kristina LaGuardiaFBC Vero Beach