{"id":19908,"date":"2026-09-15T12:56:44","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T17:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/?page_id=19908"},"modified":"2026-09-15T15:31:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T20:31:18","slug":"mental-health-first-aid-course","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/adult-continuing-education\/continuing-education\/mental-health-first-aid-course\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health First Aid Course"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people know what to do when someone experiences a physical injury. We learn first aid, CPR, and other emergency resources. But when someone is struggling with their mental health, many of us aren\u2019t sure what to say or how to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mental health challenges continue to affect individuals, families, workplaces, and communities across the country, the need for informed and compassionate support has never been greater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While professional care plays a critical role, friends, family members, coworkers, educators, and community members are often the first to notice when something may be wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to recognize the signs of a mental health or substance use challenge and how to respond appropriately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like physical first aid, it\u2019s not about diagnosing or treating a condition. It\u2019s about knowing how to provide initial support and connect someone with the help they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Snapshot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> In person (Winona, MN) or online<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration:<\/strong> 8 hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost:<\/strong> $25-195<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Study Mental Health First Aid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and knowing what to do can make a meaningful difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mental Health First Aid helps you better understand not only mental health and substance use but also how to respond when someone may need support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout the course, you\u2019ll participate in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 hours of online, self-paced work to build a foundation before your instructor-led session.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6 hours of instructor-led training, offered either online or in person (you choose).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you complete this course, you\u2019ll gain certification as a Mental Health First Aider through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalcouncil.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Council for Mental Wellbeing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re supporting a loved one, working with the public, leading a team, or simply looking to make a positive impact in your community, this course will help you feel more prepared to respond when it matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Will You Learn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this course, you\u2019ll learn how to recognize when something may be wrong, know how to respond, and help connect someone with the support they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll&nbsp;also:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>explain the role of a Mental Health First Aider and how Mental Health First Aid can help.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>better understand the prevalence and impact of mental health challenges in the nation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>recognize warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with common mental health and substance use problems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>use the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan to respond when someone may be struggling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>understand how Mental Health First Aid fits alongside professional, community, and other forms of support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please note that Mental Health First Aid is not about diagnosing or treating someone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Should Attend?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This course is for anyone who wants to feel more prepared to support the people around them, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>parents and family members<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>educators and school staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>healthcare and social service professionals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>employers, supervisors, and coworkers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>college and university staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>community and non-profit professionals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>volunteers and community members<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No previous experience with mental health or health care is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re supporting someone at work, at home, in a classroom, or in your community, you\u2019ll gain greater confidence in responding to mental health challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Enroll in This Course<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ready to learn how to create stronger and healthier communities? Enroll in one of our upcoming cohorts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Online<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 6-hour instructor-led portion of this class is held online on Oct. 9 from 9am-3:30pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2 hours of online, self-paced work is due before the live instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Register by <strong>Sept. 25<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mnscu.rschooltoday.com\/public\/costoption\/class_id\/317881\/public\/1\/\" class=\"wsu-link cta-button cta-button--external cta-button--lime cta-button-- cta-button--light\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\" >\n    <span>Enroll in the Online Cohort Now<\/span>\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hybrid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 6-hour instructor-led portion of this class is held in person on Nov. 4 from 9am-3:30pm at the WSU Krueger Library 107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2 hours of online, self-paced work is due before the live instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Register by <strong>Oct. 22<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mnscu.rschooltoday.com\/public\/costoption\/class_id\/318363\/public\/1\/\" class=\"wsu-link cta-button cta-button--external cta-button--lime cta-button-- cta-button--light\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\" >\n    <span>Enroll in the Online Cohort Now<\/span>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Adult &amp; Continuing Education<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Adult &amp; Continuing Education\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Somsen 209\u00a0\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>507.457.5080<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:continuingeducation@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Adult &amp; Continuing Education <\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to recognize and respond to mental health concerns with the Mental Health First Aid course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"parent":63,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[343],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19908","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-ace"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19908"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19915,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19908\/revisions\/19915"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/63"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}