2026 Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an early intervention, public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.

Thursday, January 1, 2026, 9:00 AM - Wednesday, December 30, 2026, 5:00 PM ET, Other

1. Describe the purpose of MHFA and the role of the Mental Health First Aider.
2. Identify the impact of mental health and substance use challenges on the wellbeing of adults in the United States.
3. Explain that recovery from a mental health or substance use challenge is possible.
4. Describe the principles of safety and privacy for both the Mental Health First Aider and the person receiving MHFA.
5. Explain the five steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE).
6. Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges that may impact adults.
7. Evaluate the impact of early intervention on mental health and substance use challenges.
8. Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to a noncrisis scenario in which a person shows early signs of a mental health or substance use challenge.
9. Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to a noncrisis scenario in which a person shows worsening signs of a mental health or substance use challenge.
10. Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to a crisis scenario in which a person shows signs of a mental health or substance use crisis.
11. Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of MHFA in a noncrisis or crisis situation.

AAPA (7.50 hours), ANCC Contact Hours (7.50 hours), ASWB (7.50 hours), Hours of Participation (7.50 hours), IPCE (7.50 hours)

To register for one of these training events, go to the Atypical Care website at https://www.atypicalcare.org/mental-health-first-aid

UVA Health CE Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests received in writing no less than 30 days before the course will be refunded, less a 20% administrative fee. No refunds will be provided for cancellation requests received within 30 days or for registration fees of less than $50.  Please send cancellation requests [email protected]. UVA Health Continuing Education reserves the right to cancel CE activities if necessary.  In this case, the entire registration fee will be refunded.  All other expenses incurred in conjunction with this CE activity are the sole responsibility of the participant.

In support of improving patient care, UVA Health Continuing Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nurses
UVA Health Continuing Education awards up to 7.5 contact hour(s) for nurses who participate in this educational activity and complete the post activity evaluation.

Social Workers As a Jointly Accredited Organization, UVA Health Continuing Education is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 7.5 general continuing education credits.

Physician Associates UVA Health Continuing Education has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 7.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

 

Hours of Participation
UVA Health Continuing Education awards 7.5 hours of participation (consistent with the designated number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM  or ANCC contact hours) to a participant who successfully completes this educational activity. UVA Health Continuing Education maintains a record of participation for six (6) years.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

UVA Health Continuing Education adheres to the Joint Accreditation Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. All individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest will be mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

To view financial disclosures, select the faculty name below.