Mental Health First Aid (pre-work and live virtual course)
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that is designed to give you key skills to help an adult who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Whether you're looking to support a colleague, your camp counselors, family and friends, or other members of your community...this virtual course is for you.
This is an 8-hour education program that introduces participants to the risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in individuals, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an individual in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses group activity, role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
This course is offered in a two-part format and both components must be completed to earn your certification:
- 2 hours of virtual self-paced pre-work must be completed by Friday, February 24
- 6 hour live, instructor-led virtual course from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm on Tuesday, February 28 (you must be fully present with the ability to have a camera and microphone on throughout the course)
What will participants learn? MHFA Certification teaches participants to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges among adults. You will learn: common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges; how to interact with a person in crisis; how to connect a person with help and resources; ways to support a person thinking about suicide.
Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support an individual developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis by applying a core five-step action plan.
Who should take this course? The course is designed for anyone 18-years of age or older who would like to add to their toolbox for supporting folks with mental health concerns. This would be great for camp leaders to provide support to their adult staff members. This is a standalone certification, but if you're already certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, this complements that as well.
About the instructor:
Emily Golinksy, is the Founder of Bright Moose, LLC, which provides training, coaching, consultation and professional development to camps, organizations and individuals guided by the motto “Help Others Shine Bright!” Her professional background includes over two decades of year-round and summer camp leadership in both day and residential environments for children in crisis, special needs youth, and traditional campers, including 15 years as Executive Director at Camp Starfish (NH). Emily is a regular presenter at conferences and is active in ACA, New England, where she is a Lead Visitor, conference committee member, and member of the Faculty for the New Camp Directors Workshop. Emily is on the Board of Directors for NHCamps and is a contributor to Camping Magazine, ParentingNH, the Project Real Job Blog, and the Day Camp Pod. She holds a BS in Health Psychology and an MS in Camp Administration and Leadership. She is also an education advocate for youth with special needs and a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Emily’s sense of humor and genuine warm connection to individuals comes through in her facilitation style. Fair warning: she is an avid collector of terribly awesome puns.
*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire program.*
Space is limited to 15 participants, so register early! If the course is full or you are interested, but not available on this date, please contact Kerry Salvo, Director of Education and Professional Development, kerry@acanewengland.org, 781-541-6080 ext. 104. If there is interest, we may offer additional courses .