Mental Health First Aid (2-day)

March 7 and 14, 2024 (2-part series)
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Room 224, Student Union Building, University Avenue

While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes toward individuals living with mental health or substance use problems. It prevents people from seeking help and providing appropriate support to people around them.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is offered to someone with an emerging mental health or substance use problem or in crisis, until appropriate treatment is found or the situation resolves. An evidence-based course, the MHFA Standard course has been proven to give participants:

  • the tools to recognize signs of decline in mental well-being.
  • the ability to talk about their mental health.
  • the knowledge to discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery or improved mental well-being.
  • the confidence to reach out to these supports.
  • the tools to assist during a mental health or substance use crisis, and.
  • the knowledge to use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental wellness.

Our Presenter: Trent Coady has been a professional staff trainer in the human services industry for over the past 12 years. Trent has worked in a wide variety of settings supporting individuals in residential services in Nova Scotia for over 30 years. He brings an energy and enthusiasm to the classroom that fosters an open and positive learning environment. Specializing in communication and conflict resolution, Trent brings a unique perspective to mental health training and personal effectiveness. His ability to address complex emotional content in a practical manner that fosters improved awareness and self care has distinguished him in the field of adult education.

Deciding between "The Working Mind" and "Mental Health First Aid":
  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify and help a person developing a mental health problem, experiencing a mental health crisis, or a worsening of their mental health. Like physical first aid, MHFA assistance is provided until professional support arrives.
  • The Working Mind (TWM) trains you to reduce stigma and promote mental health in the workplace, creating a more resilient and supportive culture among employees and leaders.
  • Mental Health First Aid is more other-focused (you learn the skills to interact with and help others experiencing a mental health problem or crisis) whereas The Working Mind is more self-focused, (you learn to reduce stigma surround mental health (including self-sigma), mental health self-assessment, and how to build resiliency using CBT-based techniques).