Overview
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training helps people better prepare to support those around them who are struggling with their mental health. Participants learn about the signs and symptoms of someone who is experiencing a mental health situation, as well as techniques they can use to provide firsthand support.
MHFA training guides people through the necessary steps to provide appropriate care and encourage professional help. Participants also learn about warning signs and risk factors commonly associated with mental health conditions, substance abuse, or self-harm.
95% of individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid report feeling better prepared to respond to a mental health crisis.
“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities face barriers from the moment they are born, which can have a direct impact on their mental health. But too often, their mental health needs are going unmet due to stigma, lack of training, and biases. This project gives us a path to tackle this mental health crisis head-on by providing critical training to all who interact with our community.”
Katy Neas, CEO, The Arc
“The instructors clearly had a wealth of knowledge on the topic, and I feel much more comfortable assessing and helping with mental health challenges/crises. I really appreciated the thorough information given regarding suicide and how to approach someone who may be thinking about suicide.”
MHFA Participant
MFHA Training Content
Mental Health First Aid training courses are led by a certified MHFA instructor from The Arc. Courses are available virtually or in person. During a one-day course, participants learn about:
- Signs of suicide or harm (to oneself or others)
- Depression and anxiety
- Dealing with past trauma
- MHFA’s five-step action plan: ALGEE
- How to assist in real-life scenarios involving suicidal behaviors, panic attacks, PTSD, and overdoses through role playing
- Techniques for connecting individuals to professional help
Choose the Training Format That’s Best for You
Thanks to funding from United Health Foundation, 10 chapters of The Arc are offering virtual and in-person MFHA trainings throughout 2026. A list of upcoming dates and registration information is below. If you are interested in a private training for your group or organization, please contact mauger@thearc.org.
Virtual
- December 1, 2025 | 9 am – 3 pm EST | The Arc Prince George’s County | Register here
- December 3 & 4, 2025 | 9 am – 12:30 pm PST | The Arc Oregon | Register here
In-Person
- October 9, 2025 | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EST | The Arc Macomb County | Register here
- October 20, 2025 | Sertoma Star Services | coming soon
- November 13 & 14, 2025 | 9 am – 1 pm EST | The Arc Macomb County | Register here
Meet the chapters taking part
| Northeast Arc | Susan Ring Brown | sringbrown@ne-arc.org | Danvers, MA |
| Sertoma Star Services | Kara Pierce | kpierce@sertomastar.org | Chicago Heights, IL |
| St. Louis Arc | Sue Shaw | sshaw@slarc.org | St. Louis, MO |
| The Arc of Arizona | Melanie Mills | mills@thearc.org | Casa Grande, AZ |
| The Arc of Loudoun | Eileen Shaffer | eshaffer@thearcofloudoun.org | Leesburg, VA |
| The Arc of Macomb County | Christy Jane Courtney | christy.courtney@arcservices.org | Twin Peaks, MI |
| The Arc of Oklahoma | Lisa Kelly | lisakelly@thearcok.org | Tulsa, OK |
| The Arc of Prince George’s County | Melonee Clark | mclark@thearcofpgc.org | Largo, MD |
| The Arc Oregon | Lindsay Dutton | ldutton@thearcoregon.org | Salem, OR |
| The Arc Rhode Island | Dee Dee Santos | santos@thearc.org | Pawtucket, RI |
Funding for this program provided by:
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
