Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), developed and brought to the United States in 2008 by the National Council for Community Behavioural Healthcare, a national trade group with 1,300 member organizations who serve six (6) million Americans nationwide, had a single goal od making it as common in 10 years as traditional First Aid and CPR are today.

Just as CPR helps us assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps us assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.  In the Mental Health First Aid course, attendees learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

Attendees also learn risk factors and warning signs of mental illness and about available mental health treatments.  Upon completion, attendees better understand the impact mental illnesses have on a person, their family, and communities.

"When you think of basic first aid, what comes to mind?  Many of us carry first aid kits in our cars, or have taken a basic first aid course.  Why?  Perhaps we want to be prepared to help a loved one in a medical emergency, or perhaps we have an altruistic desire to be of service if a stranger needs assistance.  Knowledge and skills serve us well in navigating an emergency and can potentially prevent a medical emergency through early intervention.  Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) aims to do both:  teach members of the public how to respond in a mental health emergency and offer support to someone who appears to be in emotional distress."  (Swarbrick, P. & Brown, J.K., 2008)

Training is available through a partnership with CalPolyPomona's Associated Students Inc..  For more information, and to register for upcoming trainings, please visit CalPolyPomona's Associated Students Inc. Mental Health First Aid Certification website.  For more information regarding Mental Health First Aid, please contact Dr. Kell Fujimoto at caps@cpp.edu or visit the Mental Health First Aid website.

Training for Students, Faculty, and Staff

Upcoming Mental Health First Aid training for CalPolyPomona students, faculty, and staff to be determined.  Visit CalPolyPomona's Associated Students Inc. Mental Health First Aid Certification website for more information.