In the United States, more people will experience a mental illness than heart disease or cancer. Individuals who work with the public are more likely to encounter someone having a panic attack or a severe mental health crisis than a person having a heart attack. However, knowledge of what to do in such a situation is much less common.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a prevention strategy that teaches how to help people developing a mental illness or in a crisis, including:

  • Signs of addictions and mental illnesses
  • 5-step action plan to assess a situation and help
  • Impact of mental and substance use disorders
  • Local resources and where to turn for help

Texas Council partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to support their goal of adopting the program nationally. We have supported legislation leading to the expansion of MHFA training in Texas by enabling Community Centers serving as Local Mental Health Authorities to provide the training statewide.

Through policy work and advocacy, we play a leading role in expanding MHFA training availability in priority settings, such as public and private schools, universities, law enforcement departments, and military veteran organizations.

We also collaborate with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide technical assistance, tools, and resources to develop new and experienced MHFA trainers affiliated with Centers.

Community Centers regularly lead MHFA training sessions for their regions. Find the Center in your area here.