Be Prepared for a Mental Health Crisis

If you are in mental health crisis, please call your health care provider or Dial 911 if this is an emergency.

Just as First Aid/CPR helps assist an individual learn life-saving skills – even if you have no clinical training – Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health-related concern. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health issues and substance misuse, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

Before you can know how to help, you need to know when to help. You will gain a basic understanding of what different mental illnesses and substance use disorders are, how they can affect a person’s daily life and what helps individuals experiencing these challenges get well.

You will learn about:

  • Depression and other mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Trauma
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use disorders

Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.

The Elkhart County Health Department hosts the evidence-based public education programs for anyone interacting with adults or youth. The Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health situation; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care. Training information and registration buttons can be found below:


Adult Mental Health Training

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training Events

Youth Mental Health Training

Event details will be listed here when training is available.