Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course that teaches participants how to safely and responsibly identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses, substance use disorders and someone experiencing a crisis.  Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a medical emergency, MHFA takes the fear and hesitation out of starting these conversations.

MHFA teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well. Once completed, participants will take a comprehension exam and receive a nationally recognized certification as a Mental Health First Aider. Training content and instructor certification provided by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

UMB students may be trained for free with the assistance of a donor gift, given to the SCC.

Fall Training Schedule

Date Format
July 16th Blended In-Person
October 11th Blended Virtual
December 9th & 10th In-Person

Topics Covered Include:

  • Anxiety
  • Psychosis
  • Trauma
  • Substance Abuse Disorders
  • Depression and Mood Disorders

Three Ways to Learn

In-person

  • 8-hour instructor-led session
  • Participant Manual costs $20.00
  • Participant Processing Guide costs $10.00

Total cost per participant: $30.00

Blended In-person

  • 2-hour self-paced online course, and 7-hour in-person instructor led session
  • Participant Digital Manual and course content costs $25.00
  • Participant Processing Guide costs $10.00

Total cost per participant: $35.00

Blended Virtual

  • 2-hour self-paced online course, 8-hour virtual instructor led session
  • Participant Digital Manual and course content costs $25.00

Total cost per participant: $25.00

UMB Instructors 
Trained MHFA instructors represent many schools and programs across UMB.

Charlotte Nwogwugwu, DrPH, MPH, MSN-PMHNP, HIV PCP, CPH-BC, CEAP
Director, Office of Global Health 
University of Maryland School of Nursing

Neijma Celestine-Donnor, JD, MSW, LCSW-C
Associate Dean of Equity, Inclusion and Strategic Initiatives
University of Maryland School of Social Work 

Nia Speaks
Sr. Business Manager
The Center for Restorative Change - University of Maryland School of Social Work

Oprah Keys
Social Worker
University of Maryland School of Social Work

Oscar Cortina, LCPC
Senior Counselor
UMB Student Counseling Center

Stacey Wilson, LMSW
SHARP Trainer/Social Worker 
University of Maryland School of Social Work

Temeka Bailey, LCSW-C, LICSW
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Maryland School of Social Work

Tierra Major Kearney, M.S
Senior Referral and Outreach Specialist
UMB Student Counseling Center