After investment from the Division of Student Life and Division of Student Success, UT now has 16 certified Mental Health First Aid trainers on campus.
These trainers have been certified by the national Mental Health First Aid organization to provide training to faculty, staff, or students on tactics and ways to provide aid to someone experiencing distress. Request a Training
Mental health first aid training is provided in one of three possible modalities:
- a blended in-person training
- a blended virtual training
- an all in-person
Blended training options have a 2-hour self-paced component prior to the class day. The blended in-person training day lasts about 5.5 hours, and the virtual class lasts about 6.5 hours. The all in-person option is an 8-hour fully in person class that covers all training in a single session.
Each training modality is very interactive and requires participant’s full presence to be the most meaningful.
Prior to the live, interactive class day, participants complete a self-paced e-learning course delivered through the MHFA Connect learning management system. In this 2-hour, self-paced course, participants complete five segments of instruction:
- Overview of mental health first aid
- Mental health and mental disorders
- Role of the mental health first aider and self-care
- Common mental disorders in the US
- Recognizing signs and symptoms
During the live, interactive class day, participants complete seven instructor-led training segments:
- Welcome to mental health first aid
- Mental health and mental disorders
- Role of mental health first aider and self-care
- Common mental disorders in the United States
- Recognizing signs and symptoms.
- Mental health first aid action plan (ALGEE)
- MHFA for early signs and symptoms
Learn more about mental health first aid on the national Mental Health First Aid website.