“[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 evidenced-based early-intervention training. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy, providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental health or substance use challenge. The class must be completed in full to receive the MHFA certification.
Adult MHFA – how to help adults ages 18 and older
Youth MHFA – adults interacting with adolescents ages 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-hour self-paced online pre-work completed by the attendee to access the 6-hour interactive online training with the instructor
Blended – 2-hour self-paced online pre-work completed by the attendee prior to the 6-hour interactive in-person training with the instructor
**Trainings with a double asterisk (**) is for anyone who is a(n) Independent School District (ISD) or higher education staff, police officer, fire department staff, attorney, judge, nurse, or doctor. If you have any questions on whether you are eligible to register, please do not hesitate to contact us.
To register in an MHFA course or to request in-person training, contact Shawrlette Uy.
For additional MHFA dates, email:
Crystal Morton
MHFA Outreach/Coordinator at Texas Panhandle Centers
Jeff Wallick
Director of External Technical Training at Amarillo College
| Training Date | Time | Type | Format | Register by |
| TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
MHFA classes are made possible by Texas Panhandle Centers and a grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
