Mental Health First Aid – CERTIFICATION (2 DAYS) Feb 17-18, 2026 (9:00am-4:30pm)
Participants will learn how to…
Increase their awareness of mental health
- Distinguish between mental health, mental illness, and mental health conditions.
- Recognize indicators of mental health across the continuum (optimal, declining, poor).
- Understand key information about mental health disorders in Canada.
- Identify factors influencing mental health positively and negatively.
- Explain the Two Continua Model of mental health
Improve their confidence to provide help
- Apply the ALGES framework in scenarios of declining mental health and crisis.
- Identify barriers to providing mental health firs aid and how to overcome them.
- Ask effective questions to initiate supportive conversations.
- Demonstrate empathy and effective listening skills in supportive interactions.
- Communicate non-judgmentally using verbal and non-verbal skills.
- Provide reassurance and appropriate information in supportive conversations.
- Develop a list of professional, personal, and community resources and supports.
- Explain recovery-oriented approaches to providing support.
Decrease their mental health-related stigma
- Explain mental health stigma, including self-stigma, public stigma, and structural stigma.
- Recognize stigmatizing language and practice respectful alternatives.
- Reflect on personal attitudes and biases that contribute to stigma.
- Understand risks and limitations associated with diagnostic labeling.
- Identify practical strategies to challenge and reduce stigma.
Enhance their mental health
- Identify personal self-care strategies using the Three Pillars of Self-Care: reflective, purposeful, and boundaries.
- Recognize when self-care is needed as a Mental Health First Aiders and how to integrate it into daily life.
- Commit to intentional self-care actions to maintain personal well-being as a Mental Health First Aider.
For more info: education@cmha-sm.on.ca or 705-675-7252 ext.225