Certified Instructors are Key to Building More Caring Communities in Maryland
Join us as a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and help expand mental health awareness in your community. Through our three-day intensive training, instructor candidates gain the skills to facilitate either the Adult or Youth MHFA course, learning to deliver the curriculum confidently and effectively. Many instructors choose to certify in both curricula.
Program Details
- Cost: $1,800
- Structure: Three days of training, including a “teachback” facilitation assessment
- Curriculum: Adult (MHFA), Adults Supporting Youth (YMHFA), Teen Supporting Teens (tMHFA) Very limited, email AHamel@mhamd.org to learn more.
- Expectations & Instructor Commitment
- Candidates must attend the corresponding Y/MHFA class prior to enrolling in instructor training. This class must have taken place in the past 3 years. Candidates are not required to complete this class through MHAMD.
- Attendance in class does not guarantee successful completion of the training program. Day 3 includes a graded observation of a Teachback presentation. An unsatisfactory score during the Teachback presentations may result in provisional or non-certified status. This may require a candidate to re-take the training or complete additional learning modules. If after three separate attempts an instructor does not receive a satisfactory score, MHAMD will refer that candidate to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
- If candidates miss more than 45 minutes of instruction, they cannot be certified. This includes having more than 45 minutes of the camera being off, more than 45 minutes of attendance via telephone or absence, etc..
- A Mental Health First Aid class contains 5-8 hours of content, not including breaks. This will require instructor candidates to study and practice the materials beyond the 3-day instructor training. To become proficient in teaching, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recommends an extra 40-hours of review prior to teaching. This time commitment may differ between instructors, but please keep this in mind as you move forward with this training.
- To maintain certification all instructors are required to conduct at least 3 classes per year, in alignment with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing standards of fidelity.
Funding Opportunities
A limited number of grant-funded scholarships are available twice a year. Tuition-based trainings are offered year-round.
See our current instructor training dates on our Training Calendar.