(BPT) - Have you experienced or known someone who has experienced a mental health or substance use challenge? Mental health conditions are common, manageable and treatable - and more likely than you may think. Almost half of people in the U.S. will experience a mental health condition at some point during their lifetime, with symptoms often emerging in childhood or adolescence. For individuals at any age, asking for help can be difficult, and many of us don't know where to start.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a research-based training program that teaches adults how to recognize and respond to someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. At the core of the program are its Instructors, who have trained more than 3.7 million Mental Health First Aiders since the program was first introduced in the United States in 2008.
This May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a chance for you to make an impact in your community with evidence-based training, resources and tools. If you feel motivated to help members of your community navigate challenges to their wellbeing, consider becoming an MHFA Instructor. MHFA is an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges, including how to recognize early signs and symptoms and provide initial support until professional help is available.
Who can become an MHFA Instructor?
No specific academic or professional credentials are required to become an MHFA Instructor. Applicants to an Adult or Youth MHFA Instructor training course must first hold an active First Aider certification in that curriculum. As an Instructor, you'll play an important role in the lives of those experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, largely because you teach and model how to offer help.
What do MHFA Instructors do?
Instructors are key to spreading MHFA. They teach the MHFA course with fidelity to the core program model and key messages. MHFA offers a range of comprehensive skills-based early-intervention courses, and achieving Instructor designation in MHFA's community-specific courses allows you to tailor your teaching to the community around you.
Core responsibilities for certified Instructors include:
- Teach an MHFA course at least three times per year.
- Create, market and coordinate their classes, supporting learners along the way.
- Tailor curriculum and discussions to their learners, including compiling a list of local resources for help.
Why should I become an MHFA Instructor?
Some people feel called to become Instructors to give back to their communities. Others feel passionate about mental wellbeing because of their experiences. Here are the top four reasons to become an MHFA Instructor:
1. Connect
MHFA Instructors bring members of the community together, giving them a sense of belonging, support and purpose.
As an Instructor, you'll create a safe space and open dialogue with members of your community; deepen their understanding of their neighbors, friends, family and peers; and equip them with skills to go out into the world and strengthen their own communities. You'll also be joining a built-in community of mental health champions and have an opportunity to connect with like-minded peers.
2. Advocate
Stigma - negative attitudes surrounding people with mental health and substance use challenges - can keep people from important life opportunities and getting help.
Studies have shown that MHFA training improves knowledge, reduces stigma and increases first aid actions toward people with mental health challenges. In your role as an Instructor, you'll have the power to help change attitudes about mental health and substance use, and help create a more equitable, kind and understanding world.
3. Educate
There are many mental health services available across the U.S. However, 43% of U.S. adults who say they needed substance use or mental health care in the past 12 months did not receive that care. Why? It's directly related to poor mental health literacy, including misconceptions about therapies and treatments.
As an MHFA Instructor, you can help others learn and understand more about common mental health and substance use challenges, and you can increase the likelihood that they'll help someone. You'll be able to access a library of expert-curated curricula and materials to help you through every step in your teaching journey. By building mental health literacy, you can make a difference in someone's life.
4. Lead
MHFA Instructors empower other individuals to be the first line of support for a person in need and contribute to a healthier community. As an Instructor, you will also help us ensure that everyone in America has a close friend they can turn to before a mental health or substance use challenge becomes a crisis.
As an Instructor, you'll also be able to gain opportunities and add a revenue stream, while increasing your mental health literacy and advancing your professional development.
How do I become an MHFA Instructor?
First, get certified as a Mental Health First Aider. Instructor training focuses on how to teach the curriculum. You'll spend about three days in Instructor training, plus time spent doing pre- and post-work.
Once certified, you'll have access to National Council webinars and annual conferences and be able to tap into an online community where Instructors can connect, ask questions, share resources and support each other.
Learn more about how you can become an Instructor and join an upcoming informational webinar.
