“[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

MHFA instructors

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 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 will be 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 Amarillo

Jeff Wallick
Director of External Technical Training at Amarillo College

Training DateTimeTypeFormatRegister by
Dec 118am – 12:30pmAdultVirtualNov 20
Jan 14, 20218am – 12:30pmAdultVirtualDec 24
Jan 14, 20211:30pm – 5:30pmYouthVirtualDec 24
Jan 28, 20218am – 12:30pmYouthVirtualJan 7
(Limited seats available for each training)

MHFA classes are made possible by a grant from Texas Health and Human Services Commission.