In any given year, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder. On a college campus, where students and employees face unique stressors, being prepared to offer support is not just helpful, it’s essential. That is why we are pleased to offer free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training sessions for all DCTC employees and students through the remainder of the academic year.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Think of MHFA like CPR, but for mental health challenges. This is a full-day (6.5-hour) course that equips you to be a confident and knowledgeable first responder. Peer-reviewed studies show that Mental Health First Aiders are more confident in identifying and supporting individuals in distress.
By participating, you’ll learn key skills to help build a true culture of care on our campus:
⚠️ Identify: Recognize risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance use challenges.
🤝 Support: Learn strategies for helping others in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
🔗 Connect: Discover resources for connecting individuals to professional help.
🧠 Topics Covered: The training addresses issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders, with a strong focus on recovery and resiliency.
Attention Students & Faculty!
This training is an incredible opportunity to boost your resume and your community impact. Many faculty members have generously supported student participation by offering this training as an alternate assignment or extra credit opportunity. If you are a student, check with your professor about incorporating this into your classwork!
How to Register
Ready to invest a single day to gain skills that last a lifetime? Registration is simple. Take one minute to complete the online registration form and choose the date that works best for you from the options below:
2025-2026 Mental Health First Aid Sessions (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Friday, December 19th: In-Person @ IHCC (Winter Break)
- Thursday, January 8th: Via Zoom (Winter Break)
- Friday, January 23rd: In-Person @ IHCC
- Friday, February 6th: In-Person @ DCTC (Non-Class Day)
- Tuesday, February 17th: Via Zoom
- Friday, March 13th: Via Zoom (Spring Break)
- Friday, March 20th: In-Person @ IHCC
A Quick Note: Registration closes one week prior to the session date or when the session is full to allow for course set up and completion of 2 hours of required asynchronous prep work. Register early to secure your spot!
Want to know more? Review this PDF or watch this 2-minute video (links would go here).
Thank you for choosing to #BeTheDifference and help us create a more supportive campus community.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any member of the DCTC/IHCC Mental Health First Aid instructional team: Rob Harris, Jeremy Clark, Kristin Thoennes, or Kimberly Swinney.
