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Become a MHFA Instructor

Every action can create a ripple effect that makes waves bigger than yourself. Apply to become a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor and help create a healthier, more supportive community.

Start Your Ripple

Apply for Instructor Training

4 Ways

instructors make waves in their communities

Connect
Bring people together.

Advocate
Reduce stigma around mental health.

Educate
Teach essential, life-saving skills.

Lead
Inspire others to make a difference.

Join Our Monthly Webinar

Want to learn more? Join our webinar and take the first step toward becoming an MHFA Instructor.

Register Today!

Mental Health First Aid Instructors are…

  • Community and religious leaders
  • Teachers, coaches and school staff
  • Nurses, emergency response and hospital staff
  • Social workers and peer support staff
  • Public service and safety professionals
  • Military and veterans’ services professionals
  • Individuals who want to increase their community impact

What Do Instructors Do?

MHFA Instructors are changemakers in their communities, equipping family, friends, and neighbors with potentially life-saving skills to support those facing mental health or substance use challenges. Whether working independently or on behalf of an organization, these ambassadors of this vital program not only teach from a nationally recognized curriculum but also strategically market their courses, engage their audience, and cultivate meaningful learning experiences.

Learn more about the role of an Instructor.

How to Become a MHFA Instructor

Discover whether becoming an Instructor is the right fit for you by completing our quick 5-minute application. Then, join one of our dynamic 3-day trainings, which includes self-paced pre-work, expert-led instruction and hands-on experience leading a class. You’ll gain confidence in teaching adult learners, master MHFA’s curriculum, and develop the skills to engage diverse audiences.

Learn more about the certification process

Ongoing Support for Instructors

Becoming an Instructor is just the beginning. Our Client Success team ensures you have everything you need to succeed, from your first course onward. Access webinars, tutorial and classroom videos, guides, marketing templates, and more. Join a national, supportive community to help you grow.

Thousands of Instructors have Trained over 4 Million First Aiders in all 50 States and U.S. Territories.

“Each class is a step toward realizing the profound difference you can make in someone’s life.”

MHFA Instructor Sydney Snow

“The simple act of giving them hope that people with mental health or substance use challenges can recover motivates me every day. And when training ends at 5:30 p.m., the knowledge that 15 or 20 or 25 more people are able to help others gives me inexplicable satisfaction.”

MHFA Instructor Pepe Juelle

“Although I am not a teacher by profession, I appreciate being able to teach and empower individuals with MHFA so they can support those around them.”

Jessica Smiley

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  • Mental Health First Aid training has taught the officer to ask his charges, “What happened?” instead of, “What’s wrong with you?”” –Officer Orlando Singleton
  • So many people are out there wishing for something better, hoping that help will show up. That’s what Mental Health First Aid is – it is help to get people connected to care and ultimately to get them to a better place.” –Tousha Paxton-Barnes, U.S. Army Veteran
  • I wish that every corrections officer could receive Mental Health First Aid training. I believe that our corrections system would be better because of it – the inmates would benefit, the officers would benefit and ultimately our communities would benefit.” –Lt. Virgil Meyer, Lieutenant, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
  • As adults, we sometimes forget how hard it was being an adolescent. When we see a kid who is just miserable at school, we might think they choose to be that way – or that it’s just part of adolescence. But in fact, they might be in a mental health crisis, one they certainly did not choose and do not want. When a teacher says “how can I be helpful,” that is a powerful question. ” –Alyssa Fruchtenicht, School-Based Mental Health Counselor
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