TRAINING & EDUCATION
Mental Health First Aid
Learn To Support Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
Be Part of the Solution
Learn how to understand, recognize, and respond to someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training focusing on the importance of early intervention. The curriculum teaches you tools to recognize mental health challenges, listen, and lead tough conversations, as well as how and when to refer someone to appropriate professional help.
Josselyn envisions a world in which Mental Health First Aid is as common as CPR. Learn more about how you can partner with us in this mission.
MHFA Courses
Adult
- Focuses on:
- Teaching adults how to support other adults in workplaces, communities, and families
- Training that blends online modules with instructor-led sessions
- Ensuring participants gain knowledge and practical skills to respond effectively to a mental health or substance use challenge
Youth
- Intended for adults who regularly interact with adolescents, such as teachers, parents, coaches, and youth leaders
- Our training equips adults with the knowledge and skills to identify, understand, and respond to mental health challenges in young people ages 12 to 18
- Participants learn about common mental health conditions and substance use, as well as how adolescent development impacts mental health
- Adults are guided on how to provide support in both crisis and non-crisis situations
Teen
- Designed for high school students, typically ages 14 to 18
- Teaches teens how to recognize the signs of mental health or substance use challenges in their friends and peers
- Focuses on:
- Building supportive communication skills
- Reducing stigma
- Encouraging young people to seek help from trusted adults when needed
What To Know
Adult/Youth MHFA is a two-part program
- Part one is a 2-hour, self-paced program
- Part two is an instructor-led, interactive, day-long program
Teen MHFA
- One part instructor-led, interactive, day long (can also be 6 x 45) min sessions or 3 x 90 min sessions) program
Led by Maggie Cueller, LCSW, M.Ed.
Director of Mental Health Education, Therapist
- Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer
- Has certified over 6,500 community members
- Led staff and student trainings at twelve local high schools
- 96% of surveyed participants strongly agree/agree to feeling more confident in knowing how to assist someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis
- 98% of surveyed participants agree/strongly agree to feeling more confident in my ability to start a conversation and direct someone to professional help
- Coaches 25 community MHFA trainers
Community Focused Training Courses
Josselyn has led MHFA training courses in more than 30 area schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and libraries. See the full list here.
Interested in a partnership opportunity? Contact us to learn more.
Hear From Our Trainees
Lake Forest Academy Trainee
Schuler Scholar Program Trainee
Skills For Chicagoland’s Future Trainee
Northbrook Senior Center Trainee
Upcoming Trainings
- Monday, April 6 – Teen Mental Health First Aid Training
- Location – Carmel Catholic High School
- Friday, April 17 – FREE Community Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
- Location – Josselyn Northbrook (1135 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL)
- 9 am – 2:30 pm
- Register here
- Monday, April 20 – Teen Mental Health First Aid Training
- Location – Waukegan High School
- Friday, April 24 – Teen Mental Health First Aid Training
- Location – Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
- Saturday, April 25th – FREE Community Teen Youth Mental Health First Aid
Training-
Location – Josselyn Northbrook (1135 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL)
- Open to teen community
- Register here
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- Saturday, April 25th – Nuestro Josselyn Youth Mental Health First Aid
Training- Location – Nuestro Josselyn (777 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL)
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Closed for Nuestro families
- Wednesday, April 29th – Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
- Location – Wilmette Park District
- Closed for Wilmette Park District representatives
Connect With Us
Learn how to help someone in a mental health crisis.
You can make a difference. Start the conversation.