1. Extension & Outreach
  2. Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid

sunrise over a lake

Sunrise on a cloudy day. (photo credit Fusco-Rollins, M.J.)

Mental Health First Aid Training Course

Live Webinars: Registration: s.uconn.edu/reg1strat1on_amhfa All ongoing classes are closed. Check back for new class
Language: English
When:
full/closed: January 15, 2025 (12:45 PM - 4:00 PM) and January 16, 2025 (8:45 AM - 12:00 PM) - two days, 3 1/4 hr. each day
full/closed: January 7, 2025 (9:30 AM- 4:00 PM) - One full day (6 1/2 hrs.) virtual training
Registration for the January dates paid for by a grant from UConn CAHNR Strategic Vision Implementation Committees (SVIC)
Grant sponsored dates: January dates are closed. Check back for more dates

Registration fee:
$35 for blended virtual class
$40 for in-person class

    Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid:
    Be prepared to support those around you by getting certified in Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help. In the course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies to help someone in both crisis and noncrisis situations, and where to turn for help.

    Youth Mental Health First Aid

    Youth Mental Health First Aid:

    Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

    Upon successful completion of the course, an online certificate will be e-mailed to you with congratulations. Certification is good for 3 years.

    $35 for blended virtual class

    $40 for in-person

    Adult Mental Health First Aid

    Adult Mental Health First Aid:

    Mental Health First Aid for Adults teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addictions. 

    Upon successful completion of the course, an online certificate will be e-mailed to you with congratulations. Certification is good for 3 years.

    $35 for blended virtual class

    $40 for in-person

    Self-Care Template

    Self-Care Template_R_fillable

     

    Maryann Fusco on Feb. 3, 2022. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

    Instructor

    Maryann Fusco-Rollins
    Extension Educator 4-H and Youth Development

    Mental health and wellness conversations and outreach to individuals and communities are increasingly vital  parts of positive youth development.  Mental Health First Aid teaches common language and tools to help others prevail over challenges and become their best selves.

    Maryann is the Tolland County 4-H Extension Educator. Her state program focus area is Healthy Living along with county wide civic engagement, leadership and STEM programs. In addition to Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid Training, Maryann has worked with adult volunteers and youth participants in 4-H and community settings with UConn since 2003. She has partnered with UConn Community Outreach to provide afterschool enrichment programs in Willimantic and Vernon.  Additionally since 2010, Maryann established and has promoted a unified garden centered Food and Nutrition program with the Tolland Agriculture Center (TAC) gardens and kitchens.

    Co-Instructor for Adult Mental Health First Aid

    Mary Ellen Welch
    Extension Educator: Family and Consumer Sciences

    In addition to teaching adult Mental Health First Aid, Mary Ellen has been teaching Disaster Preparedness Education since 2015 to youth, adults, and businesses, as well as people who are housing insecure/homeless. She has conducted multiple presentations and written publications related to home preparation, power outages, making a go-bag for people/pets, and from a healthy homes partnership perspective, she has posted social media messages for a national audience for eight years. This involved posting topics from LGU’s and non-profits related to flooding, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes, generator safety and preventing carbon monoxide among other topics. Mary Ellen will be the co-instructor for the January 7th and January 15th and 16th Adult Mental Health First Aid classes.