Mental Health First Aid Training

Overview

LPHI is committed to bridging the gap of the mental health provider shortage by providing tools and trainings to build community awareness and knowledge on how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use crisis.

These trainees become the first line of support in the community. Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training to assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis through a culturally responsive lens. MHFA is an evidence-based public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges and builds an understanding of appropriate detection techniques, interventions, resources, and referrals.

Training Opportunities

LPHI offers both Adult and Youth MHFA trainings. All community trainings are FREE to Louisiana residents and done virtually. Individuals who complete the training will receive a Mental Health First Aider certification, which is good for three years. 

Adult Training

Adult Training is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults age 18 and over. Adult training will take place over two half-days.


2024 Adult Training Dates 

Events
Adult Mental Health First Aid - December 2025

Wednesday and Thursday, December 16 and 17

MHFA Adult Training is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults age 18 and over. Adult training will take place over two half-days.

REGISTER

Youth Mental Health First Aid - November 2025

Thursday, December 11

Youth Training is a skills-based training that teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, and health and human services workers how to identify, understand, and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Youth trainings take place over one day.

REGISTER

Katrina’s Legacy: Systems, Access, & Care

Tuesday, November 11
Noon - 1 pm

LPHI CEO Shelina Davis will be a featured speaker on the Katrina Forward Webinar presented by the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center. The webinar series explores public policy issues related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, examines the legacy of change, and highlights areas of focus for the state moving forward to ensure access to quality healthcare for future generations. The webinar is free but does require registration.

REGISTER

Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance with Clinical Data - Four-Week Cohort Training

Tuesdays November 18, 25, December 2, 9
1 pm - 2 pm

“Data modernization” is everywhere, but do you know what it means for public health? The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is offering a four-week cohort training, “Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance with Clinical Data.” Participants will learn how electronic health records (EHR) are transforming chronic disease surveillance at federal, state, and even local levels. Attendees will also be introduced to NACDD’s "Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance Using Clinical Data" Toolkit to aid state and local health departments and their partners in their data modernization efforts. This training is designed for epidemiologists, data analysts, evaluators, program managers, and other health partners. For more information, contact Anjali Deshpande at adeshpande_ic@chronicdisease.org or register below.

REGISTER

Bayou Region Vaping Town Hall

Thursday, November 20
11 am - 1 pm

Join The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), Terrebonne General Health System, and The Foundation for Terrebonne General Health System for a candid conversation about the vaping epidemic in Louisiana. This event will bring together TFL and Terrebonne General Health System representatives, local thought leaders, topic experts, and key resource leaders for an open and engaging discussion with community members on the youth vaping epidemic and serve as a forum for community members to express concerns, share ideas, and explore strategies to address the rising rates of vaping among youth. The event is free and open to the public.


REGISTER

Adult Mental Health First Aid - November 2025

Wednesday and Thursday, November 19 and 20

MHFA Adult Training is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults age 18 and over. Adult training will take place over two half-days.

REGISTER

Youth Training

Youth Training is a skills-based training that teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, and health and human services workers how to identify, understand, and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Youth trainings take place over one day.

2024 Youth Training Dates

Events
Adult Mental Health First Aid - December 2025

Wednesday and Thursday, December 16 and 17

MHFA Adult Training is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults age 18 and over. Adult training will take place over two half-days.

REGISTER

Youth Mental Health First Aid - November 2025

Thursday, December 11

Youth Training is a skills-based training that teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, and health and human services workers how to identify, understand, and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Youth trainings take place over one day.

REGISTER

Katrina’s Legacy: Systems, Access, & Care

Tuesday, November 11
Noon - 1 pm

LPHI CEO Shelina Davis will be a featured speaker on the Katrina Forward Webinar presented by the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center. The webinar series explores public policy issues related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, examines the legacy of change, and highlights areas of focus for the state moving forward to ensure access to quality healthcare for future generations. The webinar is free but does require registration.

REGISTER

Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance with Clinical Data - Four-Week Cohort Training

Tuesdays November 18, 25, December 2, 9
1 pm - 2 pm

“Data modernization” is everywhere, but do you know what it means for public health? The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is offering a four-week cohort training, “Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance with Clinical Data.” Participants will learn how electronic health records (EHR) are transforming chronic disease surveillance at federal, state, and even local levels. Attendees will also be introduced to NACDD’s "Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance Using Clinical Data" Toolkit to aid state and local health departments and their partners in their data modernization efforts. This training is designed for epidemiologists, data analysts, evaluators, program managers, and other health partners. For more information, contact Anjali Deshpande at adeshpande_ic@chronicdisease.org or register below.

REGISTER

Bayou Region Vaping Town Hall

Thursday, November 20
11 am - 1 pm

Join The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), Terrebonne General Health System, and The Foundation for Terrebonne General Health System for a candid conversation about the vaping epidemic in Louisiana. This event will bring together TFL and Terrebonne General Health System representatives, local thought leaders, topic experts, and key resource leaders for an open and engaging discussion with community members on the youth vaping epidemic and serve as a forum for community members to express concerns, share ideas, and explore strategies to address the rising rates of vaping among youth. The event is free and open to the public.


REGISTER

Adult Mental Health First Aid - November 2025

Wednesday and Thursday, November 19 and 20

MHFA Adult Training is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults age 18 and over. Adult training will take place over two half-days.

REGISTER

MHFA TRAINERS

Section Styles team-block