{"id":5788,"date":"2025-07-07T12:38:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentalhe180dev.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=5788"},"modified":"2025-10-13T11:57:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T16:57:03","slug":"certification-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.grafik.mentalhealthfirstaid.org\/es\/teach-mhfa\/certification-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Certification Process"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Instructor Certification Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Want to earn your Mental Health First Aid Instructor certification? Join one of our dynamic 3-day trainings! You\u2019ll gain confidence in teaching adult learners, master the MHFA curriculum and build the skills to engage all kinds of audiences.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nApply for Instructor Training<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n\n\n\nHave Questions?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\nOverview<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nHost a Private Training<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nteen Mental Health First Aid<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nMissouri & Maryland Residents<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To teach Mental Health First Aid, you must be certified by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. MHFA Instructor certification is earned through 2 hours of pre-work done at your own pace, followed by a 3-day interactive training and 1 hour of self-paced post-work. MHFA Instructor certification courses are offered all year long.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Host a Private Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you host a private training, your team will gain the skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, and learn how to teach these skills to others. Bring in our expert trainers<\/strong> and certify 6-16 MHFA Instructors<\/strong>. You\u2019ll help foster a supportive environment in your organization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor Applicants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Instructor candidates can only apply as part of an approved teen Mental Health First Aid site. Before you apply for a <\/strong>tMHFA Instructor training your school or youth-serving organization must become an approved site. If you have a school or organization in mind, please complete the interest form. After the site is approved, you can apply to attend a 3-day tMHFA Instructor training.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Missouri and Maryland Residents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live in Missouri, please visit our state partner\u2019s website to apply for their in-state Instructor trainings<\/a>. If you live in Maryland, visit their website to apply for their in-state Instructor trainings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Apply to Become an Instructor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The only credential Instructor applicants need is active First Aider certification. However, there are some qualities that help. Do you have work or personal experience with mental health or substance use challenges? Have you trained adult learners in the past? Do you believe your community deserves a strong support system and have a strategic plan to roll out MHFA? These are the qualities that make the best Instructors, the ones who change lives.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nApply Now!<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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About Instructor Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The training will teach you how to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Teach the MHFA curriculum with fidelity<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Teach the 5-step MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Show the impact of mental health and substance use challenges<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Explain that recovery is possible<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Share self-help strategies<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Use MHFA technology<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Teach the MHFA curriculum with fidelity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Teach the 5-step MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Show the impact of mental health and substance use challenges<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Explain that recovery is possible<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Share self-help strategies<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Use MHFA technology<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Instructor Training Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 5 steps to earning your Adult or Youth MHFA Instructor certification:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Become a certified First Aider in the curriculum you want to teach.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Complete your application<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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3<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Activate your MHFA Connect Storefront account.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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4<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Complete your MHFA Instructor training.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Pre-work (2 hours)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/rect><\/circle><\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span><\/rect><\/line><\/circle><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) Review<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>MHFA Instructional Guiding Principles<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Fidelity Standards<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Instructor Preparation and Planning<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Instructor Program Facilitation<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Technology Tools and Skills<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Preparation for Instructor-led Training<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Instructor Training Day 1<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/rect><\/circle><\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span><\/rect><\/line><\/circle><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Review information from the pre-work.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review and discuss expectations for the Instructor candidate training.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review and discuss certification process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Discuss the resources and materials that an Instructor will use in their MHFA courses.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Discuss the impact of MHFA.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Complete the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) activity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review MHFA\u2019s guiding principles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Discuss the importance of teaching with fidelity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Identify the vital facilitation skills needed for a MHFA Instructor.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review the teach-back process and receive your teach-back assignment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Instructor Training Day 2<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/rect><\/circle><\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span><\/rect><\/line><\/circle><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Review the homework from Day 1.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review and discuss expectations for the Instructor candidate training.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Prepare and practice for the teach-back.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Instructor Training Day 3<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/rect><\/circle><\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span><\/rect><\/line><\/circle><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Deliver your teach-back.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Discuss MHFA policies and procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review roles and responsibilities for accessibility and accommodations.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review how to prepare and facilitate a MHFA course.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Explore MHFA Connect and Submit-a-Course.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Review post-work assignments.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Celebrate!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Post-work (2 hours)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/rect><\/circle><\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span><\/rect><\/line><\/circle><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Review fidelity standards.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review annual facilitation requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review accessibility and accommodation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Review MHFA Connect troubleshooting\/help Instructor resources<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Review new course\/new training creation process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Review appropriate MHFA course reporting tools and functions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Complete post-work assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Complete post-work evaluation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Access Your Certificate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You are now certified to teach In-person and Blended Adult or Youth MHFA courses!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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5<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Prepare to teach!<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Expect to spend up to 40 hours over 90 days in self-paced, independent study.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Learn the content.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Learn the systems (MHFA Connect, Submit-a-Course, MHFA Connect Storefront).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n<\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>Practice!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/span>Take advantage of support tools (e.g., webinars, reminder emails).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dual Certification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don’t have to choose just one course to teach. You can get dual certified as an Adult and Youth MHFA Instructor by taking both trainings separately. To take the trainings, you just need active First Aider certification in both curricula.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Virtual Training Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The following technology is required to join a virtual Instructor training:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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