Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Mental Illness is the #1 cause of disability in the Canadian workplace. $51 billion is lost in productivity each year due to mental illness. Although one in five Canadians will experience a mental health problem every year, the stigma associated with mental health can hinder employees from seeking help.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based program developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). 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 towards individuals living with these problems. This prevents people from seeking help for themselves and from providing appropriate support to people around them.

MHFA is the initial help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. It is an evidence-based program for staff and managers, and a proactive step towards building a psychologically healthy and safe workplace.

MHFA trained employees will be equipped to recognize and understand the symptoms of mental health problems, including those related to substance use; increase productivity and reduce absenteeism and the pressure on health benefits costs; reduce the stigma around mental illness and create mental wellness within your workplace and provide preventative help for mental health problems developing into more severe states.

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AMHSA offers MHFA as an instructor-led virtual course:

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For more information, please contact us at [email protected]

Page last updated: October 11, 2022