About Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives participants the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. MHFA takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder. Mental Health First Aiders are individuals who want to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all. 

Program Goals

Have UC Irvine/UCI Health certified instructors deliver the Mental Health First Aid course to UC Irvine and UCI Health employees so they can:

• Recognize signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions
• Identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction
• Help an individual in distress
• Decrease stigma of mental health within the UCI community
• Raise awareness of UCI mental health resources
• Lower stress, anxiety and depression rates amongst the UCI community

Learn more about UCI MHFA training dates.