teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is a training program for teens brought to the United States by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in partnership with Born This Way Foundation. It teaches teens in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of a mental health or substance use challenge in their friends and peers. The training gives teens the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and teaches them how to get help from a responsible and trusted adult. Learn more about the program, pricing, and implementation requirements.
There are three ways to teach and learn tMHFA.
Any school, youth-serving organization or organization in partnership with a school that wants to bring tMHFA training to teens at their site can apply to become a tMHFA Site. Schools and organizations must be accepted to teach tMHFA.
If you are interested in bringing tMHFA to teens in your community, complete this form to get in touch with a member of our team to learn more about the requirements and begin your application.
Instructors are on the frontlines of the program, training teens in their communities how to assess, respond and bring in a trusted adult if a peer seems to be having a mental health or substance use challenge. Instructors teach from a national curriculum, tailor discussions to their participants and compile a list of local resources for help. Instructor candidates can be certified to teach tMHFA in-person or online.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing requires that adults who teach the tMHFA program to teens attend a tMHFA Instructor training to be certified in the curriculum.
If you are interested in applying for a tMHFA Instructor training, complete this form to get in touch with a member of our team. Whether you are still looking for a site to teach tMHFA, or you have an organization in mind, you must speak with a member of our team before you can apply to become a tMHFA Instructor. Our team can assist in answering any questions you may have and next steps.
Parents, guardians and caregivers are encouraged to help bring tMHFA to their community and young people. Use these resources to advocate for tMHFA at your teens’ school or youth-serving organization:
View this one-page overview for detailed information about tMHFA pricing, discounts, and items for consideration.
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Additional information and resources about tMHFA are available at no charge and include:
