About Mental Health First Aid certificate training
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training program consisting of a 2-hour self-paced pre-course and a 6-hour in-person or virtual training with an instructor. The training teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. It equips individuals with the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
Mental Health First Aid Certificate Training Offered by University of Rhode Island (URI)
Thanks to our Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) funding, this training is cost-free and incentivized. Healthcare paraprofessionals from eligible HCBS provider facilities are welcome to participate. Healthcare paraprofessionals eligible for this training include certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Community Healthcare Workers, Behavior Technicians, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and qualified mental health professionals (QMHP), etc. Please note, licensed clinical healthcare professionals such as Social Workers, Nurses, Pharmacists, Physicians, Physician Assistants (PAs), and licensed Mental Health Counselors are not eligible for this training.
As an eligible healthcare paraprofessional, you may qualify for a $225 incentive payment upon obtaining the Mental Health First Aid certificate. To earn the Mental Health First Aid certificate, you must:
- Complete the 2-hour home study (instructions will be sent directly by the instructor)
- Attend the full live training
- Fill out the quiz and course evaluation forms
Easy-to-follow instructions for the self-paced pre-course will be sent directly from the instructor, ensuring a seamless learning experience. Please allow us 14 business days to process gift cards once we’ve got the completion list.
Registration for MHFA training is currently closed
We have a cohort of 30 participants for both training sessions! If you’re interested in participating, please fill out the MHFA Interest Form. We will keep you posted on upcoming trainings.
Our next available MHFA training will be coming soon.
The cap of each cohort is 30 people. Registration operates on a “first come, first served” basis.
If you’re interested in participating but there are no available trainings, please complete the MHFA Interest Form. Please contact us at healthcareworkforce-group@uri.edu if you have further questions or would like to schedule a dedicated training session for your facility. It can be conducted either virtually or on-site by June 2024. We have a budget allocated for catering.