“[MHFA] really gives you the skills you need to identify — and ultimately help — someone in need. Because you never know when these kinds of skills might be useful.”
former First Lady Michelle Obama
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a national training program designed to help participants identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders within their communities. In the Texas Panhandle, PBHA is working to make MHFA as common as CPR so we can better support the approximately 1 in 5 adults who suffer from behavioral health issues. To learn more about Mental Health First Aid, click here.
MHFA is a free 8-hour evidenced-based early-intervention training. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it helps trainees identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The class must be completed in full to receive the MHFA certification.
Adult MHFA – appropriate for anyone 18 years and older
Youth MHFA – adults who work with or help adolescents (age 12-18)
Due to COVID-19 and physical distancing measures, virtual and blended training formats are available. In-person trainings can be made upon request, with space needing to accommodate for 6-feet physical distancing.
Virtual – 2 hours completed online prior by attendee, and 4 ½ hours online with instructor
Blended – 2 hours completed online prior by attendee, and 4 hours in-person with instructor
To register in an MHFA course or to request in-person training, contact Shawrlette Uy.
For additional MHFA dates, email:
Crystal Morton
MHFA Outreach Worker/Coordinator at Texas Panhandle Centers
Miquela Smith
MHFA Instructor at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center in Lubbock
Jeff Wallick
Director of External Technical Training at Amarillo College
| Training Date | Time | Type | Format | Register by |
| Fri, Apr 30 | 8am – 5pm | Adult | In-person | Apr 28 |
| Thu, May 6 | 8am – 12:30pm | Adult | Virtual | Apr 15 |
| Thu, May 6 | 1:30pm – 5:30pm | Youth | Virtual | Apr 15 |
MHFA classes are made possible by a grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
