Mental Health First Aid

Identify. Understand. Respond.

Let’s make Mental Health First Aid as common as CPR.

Mental Health First Aiders are…
Teachers, first responders and veterans. They’re neighbors, parents and friends. They’re people in recovery, and those supporting a loved one. Mental Health First Aiders are anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge and help connect them to the appropriate care. This evidence-based training will teach you how to apply the ALGEE action plan:

Assess for risk of suicide or harm
Listen nonjudgmentally
Give reassurance and information
Encourage appropriate professional help
Encourage self-help and other support strategies

MHFA training is currently being offered for FREE due to support from grant funding. See our Events tab below for a complete list of trainings.

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Events

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Mental Health First Aid for Adults (Virtual)

Event date: June 21, 2023

Event time: | 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and over. The course will teach you how to apply the ALGEE action plan:• Assess for risk of ...

Mental Health First Aid for Youth (Blended) - Sherwood High School

Event date: April 25, 2022

Event time: | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Creighton, MO

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. This training is offered in a hybrid model with 2 hours of pre-work and 4.5-hour in-person training ...

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MU Extension works to fight startling statistics on mental health in Missouri

Published: Monday, May 22, 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, is a good time to look at the startling statistics on suicide and mental health challenges in rural Missouri, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri health and safety ...

MFA Foundation gift supports rural mental health resources

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers and ranchers increasingly struggle with mental health challenges and access to resources. The state’s rural suicide rate is growing faster than in urban counties, increasing 78% between 2003 and 2017.With a ...

Suicide Prevention Month: New resources available to Missouri farmers

Published: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022

COLUMBIA, Mo. – During Suicide Prevention Month, University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch reminds Missouri farmers and their families that MU Extension has resources for farmers and ranchers.Suicide Prevention ...

Suicide prevention in the workplace

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021

In the United States alone, suicide accounts for nearly 40,000 lost lives per year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That's an average of one suicide every 13 minutes. The truth is that anyone can be at risk. Sometimes you NEED ...

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Resources

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Mental Health First Aid tools and tips

How to manage your mental health when feeling stressed during COVID-19.

Mental Health Month Toolkit (PDF)

For Mental Health Awareness Month, MU Extension and Missouri partners have put together this toolkit offering resources to help strengthen farmer resilience and protect their mental health.

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Membership organization that drives policy and social change to promote "Healthy Minds and Strong Communities." They train facilitators in the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental ...

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