Virtual Mental Health First Aid Training

Course Overview

This course helps participants recognize and respond to mental health challenges and crises in adults. It includes:

• 2 hours of self-paced pre-work on Connect
• Session 1: 4 hours of live, interactive training via Zoom
• Session 2: 4 hours of live, interactive training via Zoom
• 15 minutes of self-paced post-work on Connect

Note: Both Session 1 and Session 2 are required. 

Note: This course does not train you to diagnose mental illnesses, provide counseling, or prescribe medications. It is also not a support group or group therapy. 

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a 3-year certification. For more information, visit Mental Health First Aid USA.

Recertification

If you previously completed Mental Health First Aid and wish to renew your certification, you may retake the full instructor-led course for recertification OR complete a self-paced recertification course through the Connect learning system. Eligibility requirements for recertification are detailed on our FAQs page. Directions on how to recertify through Connect can be found here: How to Renew Your Mental Health First Aid Certification. 

E-mail questions about recertification to Mental Health First Aid at hello@mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

Audience

This course is open to U.S. adults (18+) interested in supporting mental health in their families, workplaces, and communities.

This course is in English (ASL accommodation available on request). For Spanish, Khmer, Chinese, or Korean course options, select the “Get Trained” tab on the Mental Health First Aid USA page.

Course Details

Location: Online (Connect platform and Zoom)

Dates: 

• Pre-work:
  • ~2 hours of self-paced pre-work due by Oct. 3, 2025, at 12 p.m. ET
• Live Zoom Session 1:
  • Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
• Live Zoom Session 2:
  • Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
• Post-Work:
  • ~15 minutes of self-paced post-work due 2 weeks after the Live Zoom Session 2 has concluded to earn certification

Note: Participants must attend at least 90% of the Live Zoom Session times (camera on, audio and chat participation required).

Cost

This course is being offered for FREE to course participants with course costs being covered by Michigan State University Extension in honor of World Mental Health Day. 

Note: Includes access to Connect resources for 3 years, the live courses, and a certificate upon completion.

Requirements

• Computer/tablet with a camera, microphone, and internet connection. This course is NOT designed for smartphones.
• NO driving while participating in the live Zoom session.

Registration Process

1. Register: Complete this form and pay online (or use appropriate coupon code).
2. Connect Account Setup: Follow the directions in the e-mail from msue.mhfa@msu.edu, which will be sent to you within 1 month of the Live Zoom Sessions OR shortly after registering if registration occurs within 1 month of the course. 
3. Pre-work Completion in Connect: Complete modules 1-10 in Connect before the due date (69% progress required).
4. Live Course Zoom Access: Receive the course Zoom link and passcode in your email from your course instructor ONE DAY before Live Zoom Session 1.
5. Post-work Completion in Connect: Complete modules 11-13 in Connect after Live Zoom Session 2. (Details will be shared during the course and via email after the course).

Cancellation Policy

Failure to complete your pre-work by 12 p.m. (noon) ET on Oct. 3, 2025, without approval for an extension will result in cancellation. Failure to attend at least 90% of the instructor-led session will also result in cancellation. If you cancel before the course, the course instructors have the right to offer your course seat to a waitlisted participant and your seat will not be reserved for you if you decide to rejoin the course. This free course offering will not be extended to any other courses should you choose to reschedule this registration. Exceptions to this cancellation policy may be made at the discretion of the course instructors. 

Any amount of missed course time cannot be made up in a different course. 

• Neither Live Zoom Session can be made up as part of a different 1-day or 2-day course. 
• Individual make-up sessions are not offered.