Mental Health First Aid Essentials
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Essentials is a practical, one-day course developed by Opening Minds, an initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and offered through Hope for Mental Health.
The course builds the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognize and respond when someone may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health or substance use crisis.
Through facilitated discussion, interactive activities, and real-world scenarios, participants learn how to recognize when someone may need support, respond in a supportive and non-judgmental way, apply the ALGES framework, and encourage appropriate professional and community supports.
Designed for individuals, workplaces, teams, and communities, MHFA Essentials provides practical tools that can be applied in everyday situations. With no formal assessment or certification requirement, the course offers an accessible way to build greater confidence in supporting mental health and responding when concerns arise.
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Duration
6 hours
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Price
$250
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Virtual
Microsoft Teams
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In person
Nova Scotia*
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*Subject to facilitator availability. No formal assessment or certification.
Your registration has an impact beyond the classroom.
Your Mental Health First Aid registration does more than provide practical mental health knowledge. Hope for Mental Health is a registered Nova Scotia charity. When you register for Mental Health First Aid through Hope, your participation also helps support Hope’s programs and services for individuals and families living with mental illness in Nova Scotia.
Practical knowledge you can use
| Mental health awareness Increase awareness and understanding of mental health. |
Stigma & barriers Explore stigma, diagnostic labelling, and barriers to helping. |
| Communication Learn practical communication techniques. |
Self-awareness Develop reflective self-awareness. |
| Resource mapping Explore mental health supports and resource mapping. |
ALGES framework Learn how to apply ALGES when supporting someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. |
A practical framework for offering support
| A | Approach the person, assess, and assist with any crisis |
| L | Listen and communicate non-judgmentally |
| G | Give reassurance and information |
| E | Encourage the person to reach out to supports |
| S | Self-care for the first aider |
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Meet your facilitator
Karen SlaunwhiteExecutive Director, Hope for Mental Health
Karen is an adult educator with more than 20 years of experience in adult learning, facilitation, and community-based education. She holds a Master's degree in Adult Education and brings extensive experience in experiential and participant-centred learning. Through her leadership at Hope, Karen has worked to make mental health knowledge, education, and support more accessible and to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. She brings that same philosophy to MHFA through a practical, interactive, and inclusive approach that helps participants connect what they learn to their workplaces, families, and communities. |
Bring Mental Health First Aid to your workplace
Build practical mental health knowledge and confidence across your workplace, organization, or team.
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Private MHFA Essentials
Private courses are available for groups of 8 to 15 participants, with flexible scheduling and custom team pricing available. Courses can be delivered virtually through Microsoft Teams or in person within Nova Scotia, subject to facilitator availability. Contact Us About Team Training |
$51B
Estimated annual cost of poor mental health and mental illness in Canada through health-care expenditures and lost productivity. Source: Public Health Agency of Canada |
If Hope cancels: participants may transfer their registration to another available course date or receive a full refund.
If you need to cancel: cancellations received more than 14 days before the scheduled course are eligible for a full refund. Registrations cancelled 14 days or less before the course are non-refundable.
Ready to get started?
Choose an upcoming MHFA Essentials course or connect with Hope about private training for your team.
View Courses & Register Ask About Team Training